Skip to main content
Download PDF

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to pancreas and gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathological study of 3 cases and review of literature

BMC Urology volume 21, Article number: 84 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) metastasizes in approximately 20–30% cases. The most common sites for metastases are the lungs, bones, liver, and brain. Metastases of RCC in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are very rare. Metastatic RCC has a poor prognosis. We herein present a case series of three patients with metastatic disease in the colon, duodenum, and pancreas following complete resection of RCC.

Methods

Hematoxylin and Eosin and immunohistochemical slides of 3 cases of RCC metastatic to GIT were reviewed. These cases were diagnosed between 2002 and 2019 at French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan, and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. We also present a detailed review of published literature.

Results

We reviewed cases of three patients, two females and one male, with a mean age of 57.3 years (range 40–67 years) who underwent nephrectomy for RCC. They developed metastases in the colon, pancreas, and duodenum, respectively 12–168 months (median time 156 months) following primary tumor resection. The patient with metastatic RCC in colon presented with abdominal pain and constipation. An ulcerated mass was found on colonoscopy 30 cm from the anal verge. Diagnosis of RCC with rhabdoid features was confirmed in both primary and metastatic tumors. The second patient developed a metastatic nodule in the head of pancreatic while the third patient developed metastatic nodules in the duodenum and pancreas which were detected by Computed Tomography (CT) scanning. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of clear cell RCC in the metastatic nodules in both cases.

Conclusion

Metastatic RCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass in the gastrointestinal (including pancreaticobiliary) tract especially in presence of a past history of RCC. These patients should be screened thoroughly by physical examination and appropriate imaging studies.

Peer Review reports

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts 85% of renal neoplasms and 2% of all malignant neoplasm of the body. Commonly RCC develops in the cortical region of the kidney. RCC is more common in males [1]. Among many different histologic variants of RCC, clear cell RCC is the most common histological type, around 75–80% of RCCs cases [2]. Papillary and chromophobe RCC types comprise approximately 10% and 5% of all RCC tumors, respectively. Papillary and chromophobe RCC are less aggressive while collecting duct carcinoma and unclassified RCC are rarer and more aggressive [3]. RCC with rhabdoid features generally are more aggressive with rapid growing and causing high mortality rate. Studies found that median survival rates ranged from 8 to 31 months and metastasis occurs in up to 70% of rhabdoid cases [4,5,6]. Overall, RCC metastasize in approximately 25% cases. Lungs, bones, liver and brain are the most frequent sites where RCCs are metastasizing. However, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is not the common site of metastatic RCCs and rarely reported [7]. RCC has the potential to metastases to the distant organ after many years [8]. Metastatic RCC has poor prognosis with a 5-year survival of 0–18% in patients with untreated metastatic disease [9]. Thomason et al. in 1991, reported the first case of RCC metastasizing to colon and based on our extensive literature review, to date 26 cases have been reported in literature [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35] (Table 1).

Table 1 Reported cases of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in colorectum
Full size table

We present three cases with colonic, duodenal and pancreatic metastases following complete resection of RCC of clear cell and rhabdoid types.

Methods

The Surgical Pathology files of Section of Histopathology, Departments of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) were searched for cases of metastatic RCC reported between 2002 and 2019. The histological slides were reviewed by two of the principal authors (JAG and NU). All Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) stained slides of the primary and metastatic tumors were reviewed. Since this was a retrospective study involving review of H&E slides, chart review and analysis of radiological findings, ethical approval was not sought. Informed consent was obtained from patients in whom follow up was available.

Result

A total 3 cases were reported, one case at FMIC and two cases at AKUH.

Case 1 A 40-year-old woman with a history of persistent abdominal pain and constipation along with bleeding per rectum was referred by her physician to a gastroenterologist at a private hospital. She had these symptoms for three months. A colonoscopy examination was performed and revealed an ulcerated growth at 30 cm from the anal verge. A biopsy from the ulcerated mass was performed during the colonoscopy procedure and reported as hematoma. No dysplasia or malignancy were observed. Patient gave history of radical nephrectomy one year ago performed at another private hospital. The nephrectomy specimen was diagnosed on histopathological examination as urothelial carcinoma in a private pathology laboratory. Gastroenterologist was not satisfied with diagnosis and referred the patient to a surgeon at his hospital. The patient underwent segmental resection of the colon and specimen was sent to us for histopathological examination. The specimen consisted of a 54 cm segment of colon. On opening, an exophytic mass with nodular surface measuring 11 × 6 × 4 cm was seen in the distal portion of the segment (Fig. 1a). Representative sections from the mass were submitted for histopathological examination. On histopathological examination, sheets of large pleomorphic neoplastic cells with large amount eosinophilic cytoplasm, enlarged, pleomorphic, hyperchromatic eccentric nuclei and visible nucleoli (rhabdoid pattern) were seen (Fig. 1b, c). In areas, tumors cells showed an alveolar arrangement. The classic histologic pattern of RCC was not observed. IHC stains were performed on neoplastic cells and showed positivity for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3 and Cam 5.2, SATB2, vimentin and PAX8 (Fig. 1d). The tumor cells did not show reactivity with TFE3, desmin, MyoD1, S100 protein, anti-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), HMB-45, Melan A, CK7, CK20, CDX2, CD34, CD117, synaptophysin, and Hepar-1. Based on above IHC staining profile a final diagnosis of RCC with rhabdoid features metastasizing to colon was rendered. Tissue slides of the previous nephrectomy specimen were also re-evaluated, and the microscopic findings concur with diagnosis of RCC with rhabdoid features. The pathological stage of radical nephrectomy was pT2aNxMx with tumor size of 7.5 cm in the greatest dimension. Patient died of disease 4 months after the diagnosis of colonic metastasis of RCC.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Grossly after opening of the segment of rectum, there was an exophytic mass with lobulated surface (a). On microscopic low power, a submucosal neoplasm arranged in sheets, alveolar and rhabdoid patterns was seen (b). The neoplastic cells were pleomorphic having abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, enlarged hyperchromatic eccentric nuclei and prominent nucleoli (c). IHC stains were positive for PAX8 (d)

Full size image

Case 2 A 67-year-old woman visited our hospital with complain of persistent abdominal pain. Her Computed Tomography (CT) scan findings showed a mass in pancreatic head (Fig. 2a). Suspicion of a neuroendocrine tumor was raised. The patient had a history of right radical nephrectomy performed 14 years ago which was diagnosed as clear cell RCC, Fuhrman’s nuclear grade II and staged pT1bNxMx. The tumor measured 5.5 × 5 × 4 cm. CT guided core needle biopsy of the pancreatic head mass was performed and sent to us for histopathological examination. Grossly three linear cores were found. Microscopically, a neoplastic lesion was seen. Tumor cells were large with distinct cell borders, central round hyperchromatic nuclei, visible nucleoli and abundant clear cytoplasm (Fig. 2b). Special stain PAS ± D reveal abundant cytoplasmic glycogen in the tumor cells. On IHC, tumor cells expressed RCC, PAX8, CD10 and Vimentin (Fig. 2c, d) and were negative for CK7 and CK20. Diagnosis of metastatic clear cell RCC was confirmed. Patient refused further treatment. Seven months later, she developed shortness of breath and her condition deteriorated. On admission, her chest x-ray showed pleural effusion and infiltrates in both lungs suggestive of metastatic disease. She died after a week.

Fig. 2
figure 2

CT scan findings reveals a mass in pancreatic head (a). Microscopically, the tumor cells were large and have distinct cell borders with central round hyperchromatic nuclei and abundant clear cytoplasm (b). IHC stains were positive for RCC (c) and PAX8 (d)

Full size image

Cases 3 A 65-year-old man with a history of right radical nephrectomy 11 years ago for a renal mass, was on regular follow up with CT scan abdomen. The renal mass was measured as 9.5 × 5 × 4cm and was diagnosed as clear cell RCC, Fuhrman’s nuclear grade II and staged pT2aNxMx. Recently, the follow up CT scan revealed single nodules in duodenum and pancreas. Metastatic disease was suspected, and Whipple’s resection was done, which consisted of part of stomach, duodenum, pancreas and gallbladder. Grossly, a mass measuring 4 × 3.5 × 3.5 cm was found in duodenum while another mass measuring 3 × 2.5 cm was identified in the pancreas. Representative sections from both nodules were submitted for histopathological examination. Microscopic examination of both nodules revealed a neoplastic lesion arranged in nests and cords separated by thin vascular septae. The neoplastic cells were polygonal in shape with clear cytoplasm and rounded, hyperchromatic nuclei. The cells were diffusely positive for cytoplasmic glycogen highlighted on special stain PAS ± D. A panel of IHC stains was performed. The neoplastic cells were positive for CK AE1/AE3, CK Cam 5.2 and Vimentin and negative for Chromogranin A, Synaptophysin and S100. In view of clinical history, morphology and IHC profile, diagnosis of metastatic clear cell RCC was made. Patient died a week after surgery due to postoperative complications.

Discussion

RCC is the most common type of renal neoplasms in patients above 50 years of age. It is more common in males with a male to female ratio of 2:1 [1]. In about 20–30% cases, primary RCC and its metastasis to the distant organ will be diagnosed in the same time, which is called synchronous presentation. 20% of RCC patients with non-metastatic disease at diagnosis will later develop metastases during follow-up (metachronous presentation) [36].

In very rare cases of RCC, metastatic involvement of GI tract can be observed. Metastasize to any part of GI tract can occur but metastasis to colonic is much rarer compared to gastric and to small intestine [37]. Colon usually involved by metastatic cancers from breast, stomach and malignant melanoma of the skin [38]. RCC not infrequently metastasizes to pancreas, RCC metastases to pancreas account for 2–5% of all pancreatic neoplasms and metastatic RCC is the most common secondary neoplasms in the pancreas followed by malignant melanoma and colorectal carcinoma [39]. Metastasis of RCC to periampullary region is very rare and can occur several years (6.5–12) after resection of primary renal tumor. Metastasis 32 years following previous resection has been reported [40]. In these patients overall, 5-year survival rates are less than 10% but surgical resection can improve 5-year survival rates up to 88%. Improvement in survival is even seen in multi-focal metastasis [40]. A 5-year survival rate of 75% was reported in a retrospective study of surgically treated pancreatic metastases in ten patients, with the longest survivor at 117 months after resection. Therefore, the study suggests that RCC metastasis to pancreas should be managed aggressively with complete resection [41]. European Association of Urology (EAU) suggests that metastasectomy remained, by default, an appropriate local treatment for most sites with the exception of brain and possibly bone metastases, which are frequently treated by stereotactic radiotherapy [42].

In our study, the time for metastases to pancreas following nephrectomy was 14 years in case 2 and 11 years in case 3.

A study reported two cases of metastatic RCC in the pancreas with mean time of metastasis of 41.5 months (0–108). Both patients were males aged 65 and 87 years [43]. RCC metastasis to colon can occur several years following curative resection of the primary tumor or it can occur soon after resection [44]. On reviewing the reported cases of colon-rectal metastasis of RCC (Table 1), one found that most colon metastases occurred after 5 years (maximum 17 years). Only three cases metastasized to colon within one year after resection of primary RCC. Interestingly, all reported cases of metastatic RCC in colon occurred in males and all patients were over 50 years old (53–92 years), while in our case metastatic RCC to colon occurred in a female patient who was below 50 years of age (46 years). In addition, majority of reported metastatic RCC cases in colon presented with rectal bleeding. Therefore, metastatic RCC should be kept in mind in patients with known history of RCC who presented with rectal bleeding. In our case, patients presented with abdominal pain and constipation, probably be due to large size of the mass (11× 66 × 64 cm).

In our study, metastasis to pancreas and pancreatico-duodenal region occurred after 11 and 14 years after resection of primary RCC.

In terms of appearance, we found in published literature cases of metastatic RCC in pancreas have been mostly reported in men (75%) with average age of 65.5 years [41]. Metastases can occur through lymphatic or hematogenous routes or by direct invasion. Large tumor size increases the chances of metastatic spread. However, metastases to lymph nodes and distant organs can occur even in the early stages of RCC [45].

On literature review, not surprisingly, the most common metastatic type of RCC to GI tract is clear cell type, the commonest RCC subtype [46]. However, papillary type, chromophobe type and sarcomatoid type RCC metastasizing to colon have been reported [37, 47, 48].

In our case, metastatic RCC in colon turned out to be RCC with rhabdoid features. Among subtypes of RCC the rhabdoid features is very rare account up to 5% of all RCCs. RCC having rhabdoid features behave more aggressively and usually develops extra renal invasion and has higher potential for distant organ metastases comparing to other subtypes of RCC. Therefore, the prognosis of patients diagnosed RCC with rhabdoid features is very poor [49].

Histologically, rhabdoid cells are characterized by large polygonal cells with large amount pink-eosinophilic cytoplasm and having pleomorphic eccentric nuclei with visible large nucleoli. On IHC staining, rhabdoid cells show positive reactivity with vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratins and PAX8 but not reactive for desmin, myoglobin, myogenin and Myo D1 [4, 50]. To the best of our knowledge no case of metastatic RCC with rhabdoid features has been reported in literature and our case represents the first case of RCC with rhabdoid features metastasizing to colon. RCC with rhabdoid features should be differentiated from other malignant tumors having rhabdoid cell morphology. Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS) has the similar histologic morphology, the cells are arranged in alveolar pattern and are polygonal with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. ASPS can rarely occur or metastasize to colon. On IHC staining, Myo D1, TFE3 and vimentin widely expressed among ASPS cells [51], while these stains were not expressed in our case. Another malignant neoplasm which has the similar morphology is pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma having large pleomorphic and polygonal cells of rhabdomyoblasts. On IHC staining, the neoplastic cells in pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma show positive reactivity with myogenin, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin. The cells of RCC with rhabdoid features do not express these markers [52].

It is quite difficult to distinguish metastatic RCC having rhabdoid features from ASPS and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma only on histologic morphology. In our case, IHC profile helped to diagnose the RCC with rhabdoid features over ASPS and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Our case was negative for TFE3, Myo D1, myogenin, desmin and positive for renal cell markers such as PAX8 and Cam5.2. In addition, history of nephrectomy and review of previous nephrectomy slides further supported the diagnosis of metastatic RCC with rhabdoid features.

Metastasis to colon in the current study occurred in less than one year following nephrectomy. This interval is much shorter than in the literature. This is probably because RCC with rhabdoid features is an aggressive type of RCC with high potential for rapid early metastasis.

Few differential diagnoses should also be kept in mind RCC metastasizing to pancreas. These include solid variant of serous cystadenoma of pancreas whose cells may have clear cytoplasm and well-defined cell borders. However, hemorrhage and nuclear atypia are rare. In contrast, metastatic RCC usually demonstrates foci of hemorrhage and nuclear atypia. Expression of PAX8 and CD10 by RCC cells is important for confirmation [53, 54]. It should also be kept in mind that cases of metastatic RCC to pancreas with underlying primary pancreatic microcystic serous cystadenoma have been reported and may cause difficulty in identifying metastatic RCC [55]. In such cases, careful microscopic evaluation along with IHC staining can differentiate the two tumors as serous cystadenoma cells do not express CD10 and PAX-8 and RCC but are positive for CK7 while RCC cells are negative for CK7 and positive for CD10 and PAX-8. Solid pseudo-papillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas with clear cell features is another entity that must be differentiate from metastatic RCC. However, this tumor occurs mostly in young age and tumor cells are positive for synaptophysin and B-catenin [56].

PEComa should be also considered in differential diagnosis, although, it rarely occurs in pancreas and colon but, the similar histologic morphology can be challengeable. PEComa has polygonal to round cells and are having clear cytoplasm. To surely differentiate it from RCC with rhabdoid features, IHC staining is required. Tumor cells in PEComa strongly express ASMA and HMB45 stains while these IHC stains are negative for RCC cells [57]. Radiology is of little significance in diagnosing skin metastasis. However, metastasis of RCC to other locations can be recognized [58].

Histology is the gold standard for diagnosing metastasis and should be performed in all situations with adequate precautions. Light microscopy alone cannot help much in differentiating metastatic RCC from other clear cell tumors and IHC is required for accurate diagnosis [59].

Conclusion

Metastatic RCC especially of clear cell subtype to the colon and pancreas should be considered in the differential diagnosis especially if there is a previous history of RCC or nephrectomy. Patients with lower GI symptoms or mass, particularly those patients with the past history of renal mass or nephrectomy should be screened thoroughly by physical examination and imaging modalities for metastases to gastrointestinal tract (including pancreaticobiliary tract) and other locations.

Availability of data and materials

Data and materials of this work are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

RCC:

renal cell carcinoma

CT scan:

computed tomography scan

GIT:

Gastrointestinal track

FMIC:

french medical institute for mothers and children

AKUH:

Aga Khan University Hospital

H&E:

Hematoxylin and Eosin

IHC:

immunohistochemical

CK:

Cytokeratin

ASMA:

anti smooth muscle actin

EMA:

epithelial membrane antigen

ASPS:

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

References

  1. Chow WH, Devesa SS, Warren JL, Fraumeni JF Jr. Rising incidence of renal cell cancer in the United States. JAMA. 1999;281(17):1628–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Cairns P. Renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biomark. 2010;9(1–6):461–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Koufopoulos N, Nasi D, Antoniadou F, Kokkali S, Theocharis S. Kidney Carcinoma ovarian metastasis: review of the literature. Cureus. 2018;10(11):e3620.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Kuroda N, Karashima T, Inoue K, Kasajima A, Ohe C, Kawakami F, et al. Review of renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid features with focus on clinical and pathobiological aspects. Pol J Pathol. 2015;66(1):3–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Humphrey PA. Renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid features. J Urol. 2011;186(2):675–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Delahunt B, Cheville JC, Martignoni G, Humphrey PA, Magi-Galluzzi C, McKenney J, et al. The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading system for renal cell carcinoma and other prognostic parameters. Am J Surg Pathol. 2013;37(10):1490–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Abu Ghanimeh M, Qasrawi A, Abughanimeh O, Albadarin S, Helzberg JH. Gastric metastasis from renal cell carcinoma, clear cell type, presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding. Case Rep Gastrointest Med. 2017;2017:5879374.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Wee LK, Shyu R-Y, Sheu L-F, Hsieh T-Y, Yan J-C, Chen P-J. Metastatic renal cell cancer. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004;60(2):265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bhat S. Role of surgery in advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Indian J Urol. 2010;26(2):167–76.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Ruiz JL, Vera C, Server G, Osca JM, Boronat F, Cruz JJ. Renal cell carcinoma: late recurrence in 2 cases. Eur Urol. 1991;20:167–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Thomason PA, Peterson LS, Staniunas RJ. Solitary colonic metastasis from renal-cell carcinoma 17 years after nephrectomy. Dis Colon Rectum. 1991;34(8):709–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Zerbib F, Bécouarn Y, Stöckle E, Ravaud A, Brunet RJTJ. Colonic metastasis of a renal carcinoma. A case report. 1992;78(3):219–20.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tokonabe S, Sugimoto M, Komine Y, Horii H, Matsukuma S. Solitary colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma seven years after nephrectomy: a case report. International journal of urology. 1996;3(6):501–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Avital S, Hitchcock CL, Baratz M, Haddad R, Skornick Y, Schneebaum S. Localization of monoclonal antibody CC49 in colonic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. Eur J Surg Oncol. 1998;24(2):149–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Misu K, Suzuki Y, Omi M, Takahashi M, Watanabe Y, Katoh H. A case of solitary colonic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. J Jpn Surg Assoc. 1999;60(7):1874–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sawh RN, Borkowski J, Broaddus R. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a hemorrhoid. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2002;126(7):856–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rosito MA, Damin DC, Lazzaron AR, Cartell A, Schwartsmann G. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma involving the rectum. Int J Colorect Dis. 2002;17(5):359–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Mori R, Miura M, Takahashi T, Obi Y, Yamanaka K, Abe T, Nakamura K. A case of renal cell carcinoma with invasion to the ascending colon. Gastroenterol Endosc. 2004;46(12):2575–9.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Dellon ES, Gangarosa LM. Hematochezia due to a renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the rectum: a case report and review of the literature. Revista de Gastroenterologia de Mexico. 2006;71(3):316–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Valdespino-Castillo VE, Ruiz-Jaime A. Renal cell carcinoma with colon metastases: an infrequent site for metastases. Cirugia y Cirujanos. 2008;76(4):339–42.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Yetkin G, Uludag M, Özagari A. Solitary colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Acta Chirurgica Belgica. 2008;108(2):264–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jadav AM, Thrumurthy SG, DeSousa BA. Solitary colonic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma presenting as a surgical emergency nine years post-nephrectomy. World J Surg Oncol. 2010;8(1):1–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chetty R, Syed A, van der Kwast T. Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma presenting as multiple colonic polyps. Int J Surg Pathol. 2011;19(6):791–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhao WP, Yu YL, Chen ZQ, Huang XF, Zhang ZG. Colon metastasis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid change. Chin Med J. 2012;125(18):3352–4.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Milović N, Lazić M, Aleksić P, Radovanović D, Bančević V, Savić S, Stamenković D, Spasić D, Košević B, Perović D, Jovanović M. Rare locations of metastastatic renal cell carcinoma: a presentation of three cases. Vojnosanitetski Pregled. 2013;70(9):881–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Tsamis D, Larentzakis A, Skiada D, Panousopoulos S-G, Toutouzas K, Theodorou D, et al. Colonic metastasis of a Renal Cell Carcinoma: case report and brief review of the literature. Central Eur J Med. 2013;8(3):331–4.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Davies JR, Smith G, Cornaby AJ, Thomas T, Lamparelli MJ. Delayed recurrence of renal cell carcinoma presenting as a haemorrhoid. J Surg Case Rep. 2015;2015(3):rjv022.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Vo E, Palacio CH, Omino R, Link RE, Sada Y, Avo A. Solitary colon metastasis from renal cell carcinoma nine years after nephrectomy: a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016;27:55–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Maehata Y, Esaki M, Fujita K, Hirahashi M. Solitary rectal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma treated by endoscopic resection. Dig Liver Dis. 2016;48(5):566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Berry AC, Nakshabendi R, Kanar O, Cai W, Persaud M. Sigmoid colonic polyp as initial presentation of metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma. Ochsner J. 2017;17(4):417–20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Zheng G, Li H, Li J, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wu XJM. Metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma to the rectum, lungs, ilium, and lymph nodes: a case report. 2017;96(1).

  32. Ouellet S, Binette A, Nguyen A, Garde-Granger P, Sabbagh R. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma initially presenting with hematochezia and subsequently with vaginal bleeding: a case report. BMC Urol. 2018;18(1):1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Valere DS, Haider N, Fatima S. Colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation. J Clin Diagn Res. 2019: 13(1).

  34. Subaşı Ö, Aziret M, Karaman K, Ercan M. Colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma following curative nephrectomy: a case report and review of the literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2019;65:152–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Kataoka M, Hirano Y, Kondo H, Ishikawa S, Yamaguchi S. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the ascending colon: a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2020;74:214–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Ljungberg B, Campbell SC, Choi HY, Jacqmin D, Lee JE, Weikert S, et al. The epidemiology of renal cell carcinoma. Eur Urol. 2011;60(4):615–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Berry AC, Nakshabendi R, Kanar O, Cai W, Persaud M. Sigmoid colonic polyp as initial presentation of metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma. Ochsner J. 2017;17(4):417–20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Tokonabe S, Sugimoto M, Komine Y, Horii H, Matsukuma S. Solitary colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma seven years after nephrectomy: a case report. Int J Urol. 1996;3(6):501–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Glinka J, Sanchez Claria R, Ardiles V, de Santibanes E, Pekolj J, de Santibanes M, et al. The pancreas as a target of metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: Results of surgical treatment in a single institution. Ann Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2019;23(3):240–4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Villarreal-Garza C, Perez-Alvarez SI, Gonzalez-Espinoza IR, Leon-Rodriguez E. Unusual metastases in renal cell carcinoma: a single institution experience and review of literature. World J Oncol. 2010;1(4):149–57.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Sohn TA, Yeo CJ, Cameron JL, Nakeeb A, Lillemoe KD. Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas: results of surgical management. J Gastrointest Surg. 2001;5(4):346–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Ljungberg B, Albiges L, Abu-Ghanem Y, Bensalah K, Dabestani S, Fernandez-Pello S, et al. European Association of urology guidelines on renal cell carcinoma: the 2019 update. Eur Urol. 2019;75(5):799–810.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Mousa OY, Shah R, Hajar N, Landas SK. Periampullary and pancreatic metastases of renal cell carcinoma: an underdiagnosed event. World J Oncol. 2015;6(3):378–80.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Fujii Y, Ikeda M, Kurosawa K, Tabata M, Kamigaito T, Hosoda C, et al. Different clinicopathological features between patients who developed early and late recurrence following surgery for renal cell carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol. 2015;20(4):802–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Guethmundsson E, Hellborg H, Lundstam S, Erikson S, Ljungberg B, Swedish Kidney Cancer Quality Register G. Metastatic potential in renal cell carcinomas <=7 cm: Swedish Kidney Cancer Quality Register data. Eur Urol. 2011;60(5):975–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Chetty R, Syed A, van der Kwast T. Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma presenting as multiple colonic polyps. Int J Surg Pathol. 2011;19(6):791–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Zhao W, Yu Y, Chen Z, Huang X, Zhang Z. Colon metastasis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid change. Chin Med J. 2012;125(18):3352–4.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Valere DSB, Haider N, Fatima S. Colonic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation. J Clin Diagn Res. 2019;13(1).

  49. Gokden N, Nappi O, Swanson PE, Pfeifer JD, Vollmer RT, Wick MR, et al. Renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid features. Am J Surg Pathol. 2000;24(10):1329–38.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Saadaat R, Haidary AM, Ibrahimkhil AS, Abdul-Ghafar J. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma involving colon with unusual histologic features and diagnostic challenges: a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;80:105627.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Shelke P, Sarode GS, Sarode SC, Anand R, Prajapati G, Patil S. Alveolar soft-part sarcoma of the oral cavity: a review of literature. Rare Tumors. 2018;10:2036361318810907.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Shirafkan MdA, Boroumand MdN, Komak MdS, Duchini MdA, Cicalese MdL. Pancreatic pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2015;13:33–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Machado MC, Machado MA. Solid serous adenoma of the pancreas: an uncommon but important entity. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2008;34(7):730–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Truong LD, Shen SS. Immunohistochemical diagnosis of renal neoplasms. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2011;135(1):92–109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Shah L, Tiesi G, Bamboat Z, McCain D, Siegel A, Mannion C. Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: report of two cases of renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to microcystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas. Int J Surg Pathol. 2015;23(1):48–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Albores-Saavedra J, Simpson KW, Bilello SJ. The clear cell variant of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: a previously unrecognized pancreatic neoplasm. Am J Surg Pathol. 2006;30(10):1237–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Cheng SK, Chuah KL. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas: a review. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2016;140(6):598–602.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Porter NA, Anderson HL, Al-Dujaily S, editors. Renal cell carcinoma presenting as a solitary cutaneous facial metastasis: case report and review of the literature. International Seminars in Surgical Oncology; 2006: BioMed Central.

  59. Kishore M, Chauhan DS, Dogra S. Unusual presentation of renal cell carcinoma: a rare case report. J Lab Phys. 2018;10(2):241.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No financial support was provided for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan

    Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar & Ramin Saadaat

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

    Nasir Ud Din & Zubair Ahmad

Authors
  1. Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nasir Ud Din
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ramin Saadaat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zubair Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

JAG and NU performed the histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. RS and JAG was involved in literature review and drafted the manuscript; NU, JAG and RS helped to collect clinical and follow-up data of the cases; ZA and NU participated in reviewing the drafted manuscript. JAG participated with the corresponding, editing the drafted manuscript as per journal policy, and submission of the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Written informed and verbal telephonic consent was obtained and documented with date and time from patients or close relatives of the patient's (legal guardian or next of kin) for publication and any accompanying images and they are available upon request.

Consent for publication

Written informed and verbal telephonic consent was obtained and documented with date and time from patients or close relatives of the patient's (legal guardian or next of kin) for publication and any accompanying images and they are available upon request.

Competing interests

It is declared that all authors have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abdul-Ghafar, J., Ud Din, N., Saadaat, R. et al. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to pancreas and gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathological study of 3 cases and review of literature. BMC Urol 21, 84 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-021-00854-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-021-00854-z

Keywords

BMC Urology

ISSN: 1471-2490

Contact us