Renal cell carcinoma in a patient with staghorn stones: A case report

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023 Sep:110:108678. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108678. Epub 2023 Aug 18.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Staghorn stone fills the renal pelvic and two or more branches of renal calyces. The incidence of staghorn stones is between 10 and 20 % of all urinary tract stones. We report the case of a man with right staghorn stones and renal mass who underwent right radical nephrectomy with pathology anatomy result of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Case presentation: A 56-year-old man came with a complaint of right flank pain for two months. Physical examination is within normal limits, but an abdominal CT scan revealed a staghorn stone with enhancing mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. Patient subsequently underwent right radical nephrectomy. Pathology examination revealed RCC.

Clinical discussion: The presence of kidney stones in renal malignancy is rare. Kidney stones can be a risk factor for renal cell malignancy, and renal cell malignancies can cause urinary stasis, making it a risk factor for kidney stones. A study conducted by Nugroho and colleagues concluded that renal and caliceal biopsy should be considered in large and chronic renal stone due to potential experiencing kidney malignancy in patient with renal stone. Therefore, early diagnosis and definitive can be carried out.

Conclusion: Kidney stones and malignancy are rarely found. Renal pelvis, and caliceal wall biopsy should be considered in chronic and large renal stone, especially staghorn stone in patient that did not have any signs of malignancy on CT scan. Treatment in such case is focused on the oncological outcome. Therefore, radical nephrectomy is the treatment of choice.

Keywords: Kidney cancer; RCC; Radical nephrectomy; Renal cell carcinoma; Renal stone; Staghorn stone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports