Small-cell carcinoma of the kidney: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract Extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is a rare small-cell carcinoma (SCC). It is recognized as a clinicopathological entity distinct from SCCs of the tracheobronchial tree. EPSCCs account for about 2.5% of all SCCs. SCCs of the kidney are an even rarer neoplasm. Abdominal pain and hematuria are the major clinical symptoms. Many cases are already advanced disease at diagnosis and have poor prognoses. Platinum-based chemotherapy seems to be beneficial for overall survival. We describe an 82-year-old male patient who was seen at the emergency room due to complaints of gross hematuria and right-flank pain. Computed tomography showed a large right renal tumor. Treatment modalities, pathologic features, survival outcome of this case, and a review of similar cases in the literature are presented and discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 21 st case of SCC of the kidney reported in the literature to date. It is also the first report in Taiwan of a primary SCC of the kidney with the tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava which required a right radical nephrectomy.