Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the lower cava vein reaching the right atrium – Case report and brief review of the literature

Abstract

Approximately 15% of cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can invade the inferior vena cava, leading to the formation of a thrombus inside it, which can reach the cardiac chambers in up to 1% of cases. This article reports a case of RCC with venous thrombus that reached the right atrium. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy with lymphadenectomy and tumor thrombectomy with extracorporeal circulation associated with hypothermia, without total cardiac arrest. The surgical success of this case highlights the need to study new techniques that represent better operative approaches for solid kidney injuries.

Keywords

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Caval thrombectomy
• Right atrium thrombus
• Hypothermic circulatory