Unusual metastasis from renal cell cancer after partial nephrectomy and sequential targeted therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is treated with various regimens. As their outcomes are improving and follow-up periods are growing longer, the rate of unusual visceral metastases may increase.

Case presentation: A 68-year-old man diagnosed with lung, pancreatic, and renal metastases 9 years after left partial nephrectomy and a diagnosis of pT1a clear cell renal cell carcinoma started molecular targeted therapy using sunitinib. Nine years after the initiation of targeted therapy, a mass lesion in the esophagus was revealed by follow-up computed tomography, and endoscopic mucosal resection of the esophageal metastatic lesion was performed. One year later, a bladder tumor was detected by follow-up computed tomography. The patient underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Histological evaluation of both resected specimens disclosed clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: We present a valuable case of metachronous esophagus and bladder metastases from renal cell carcinoma in a long-term follow-up.

Keywords: bladder metastasis; esophageal metastasis; renal cell cancer.