A case of renal cell carcinoma with microscopic pulmonary tumor embolism proven by surgical lung biopsy

Takuma Katano; Toyonori Tsuzuki; Hiroki Numanami; Naoto Sassa; Toshio Kato; Akihito Kubo; Satoru Ito

Respiratory Medicine Case Reports (Jan 2022)

A case of renal cell carcinoma with microscopic pulmonary tumor embolism proven by surgical lung biopsy

Takuma Katano,
Toyonori Tsuzuki,
Hiroki Numanami,
Naoto Sassa,
Toshio Kato,
Akihito Kubo,
Satoru Ito

Affiliations

Takuma Katano: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan; Corresponding author. Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazako-Karimata, Nagakute, 480-1195, Aichi, Japan.
Toyonori Tsuzuki: Department of Surgical Pathology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
Hiroki Numanami: Division of Chest Surgery, Department of Surgery, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
Naoto Sassa: Department of Urology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
Toshio Kato: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
Akihito Kubo: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan; Medical Oncology, Oncology Center, Aichi Medical University Hospital, Nagakute, Japan
Satoru Ito: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 39
p. 101716

Abstract

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Pulmonary tumor embolism (PTE) is difficult to diagnose before death. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with microscopic PTE of renal cell carcinoma who was diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy. He visited our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed multiple micronodules and ground glass opacities. Steroid therapy was started as therapeutic diagnosis for IgG4-related pulmonary disease. However, he was admitted our hospital due to progressive respiratory failure. Pathological findings of a lung biopsy obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery showed PTE of renal cell carcinoma without embolization of large pulmonary arteries. He received palliative medicine and died four months after the surgical lung biopsy. In cases of multiple micronodules in chest CT findings and worsened respiratory symptoms, PTE should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Published in Respiratory Medicine Case Reports

ISSN: 2213-0071 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the respiratory system
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/respiratory-medicine-case-reports/

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