[Renal cell carcinoma: unusual late metastases 14 and 23 years after kidney transplantation].
METHODS
An asymptomatic 70-year-old man was found to have a tumor in the region of the left adrenal gland, having undergone cadaveric kidney transplantation 23 years ago. Two years before this a right nephrectomy had been performed for a renal cell carcinoma. There was no left kidney because of agenesis. 14 years after the kidney transplantation a metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma was identified in the thyroid gland. After its resection no further metastases had been discovered.


METHODS
Laboratory tests were unremarkable. But a tumor was detected in the left adrenal gland by computed tomography.


METHODS
The left adrenal gland was successfully resected. Its histology confirmed a second metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma 23 years after renal transplantation, but no other metastases were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Kidney transplantation can be successfully performed even in patients with pre-existing carcinoma. A late metastasis of a renal carcinoma may occur. Close long-term follow-up of the patients is therefore essential.
Weithofer
P
P
Abteilung Innere Medizin/Nephrologie, Nephrologisches Zentrum Niedersachsen, Hannoversch Münden.
Schott
W
W
Bosse
A
A
Gröne
H-J
HJ
Kliem
V
V
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed