Renal cell carcinoma in a 44-year-old man: an etiology for low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this case study is to describe a patient with low back pain due to renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A brief review of RCC, including clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, treatment, and outcomes, is discussed.


METHODS
A 44-year-old man presented to a chiropractic clinic with chronic low back pain. Lumbar spine radiographs and follow-up computed tomography scan revealed renal calcification, which was first thought to be calcified hematoma, but later, biopsy confirmed that it was RCC.


RESULTS
A nephrectomy was performed. At 7-year follow-up, the patient is healthy.


CONCLUSIONS
Renal cell carcinoma is not uncommon, and its varied clinical presentation may lead individuals to seek a variety of health care providers. Spine practitioners should be aware of the possibility of RCC in the clinical presentation of low back pain.
Watkins
Christopher T
CT
New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, NY, USA.
Tao
Cliff
C
Yochum
Terry R
TR
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome