Journal of Kidney Cancer and VHL (Jun 2015)

Displacement of the Spleen Mimicking Renal Cell Cancer Recurrence Post-Nephrectomy: A Case Report

  • Carolina S. Emanuels,
  • Krista D. Timmerman,
  • Thu-Cuc Nguyen,
  • Nathaniel Jest,
  • Walter E. Drane,
  • Scott M. Gilbert,
  • Paul L. Crispen,
  • Li-Ming Su,
  • Lori A. Deitte,
  • Long H Dang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15586/jkcvhl.2015.36
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 3
pp. 130 – 133

Abstract

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AbstractLocal regional recurrence of renal cell cancer post-nephrectomy most often occurs within three years after surgery. Post-nephrectomy, many processes may mimic RCC recurrence. We present the case of a 75 year-old Caucasian male patient with a mass in his renal fossa post-nephrectomy for renal cell cancer, suggesting local recurrence. Use of the technetium-99m sulfur colloid scan showed that the mass was his spleen which had been displaced into the renal fossa. With high index of suspicion, characterization of these processes as splenic in origin would prevent subjecting patients to risks of biopsy or even surgery.

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