Two papillary renal cell carcinomas of different origin following renal transplantation (case report)

Gerth H., Pohlen M., Thoennissen N., Suwelack B., Pavenstädt H., Störkel S., Abbas M., Spieker T., Thölking G.

Abstract

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) is a rare malignant tumor entity compared to common clear cell renal carcinoma. In the present study, we report a patient who was diagnosed with PRCC twice and successfully treated each time following renal transplantation. The first PRCC was located in the left native kidney two years following transplantation, and the second PRCC was diagnosed in the allograft 13 years following transplantation. The two tumors were completely removed by surgery in stage I of the disease with sufficient conservation of the allograft function. Notably, the tumors had a different origin as indicated by the microsatellite analysis, which reflects the exceptional course of the case. Risk factors for PRCC were identified in our patient. We concluded that high-risk candidates for malignancies in renal transplant recipients should receive shorter ultrasonic screening intervals, which may facilitate early tumor detection and improve outcome rates.