Gastric metastasis from renal cell carcinoma with gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A 61-year-old man presented to our hospital with hypercalcemia and elevated C reactive protein (CRP). Evaluation revealed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with metastasis to lung, bone, and brain. He underwent partial resection of the right kidney and a left nephrectomy. Histopathologic findings of resected tumors were consistent with clear cell RCC. Whole-brain irradiation was performed for management of brain metastasis. Postoperatively, he was treated with molecularly targeted therapy using a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. Approximately 14 months later, he suffered an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with secondary anemia and melena. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a distinctly protruding lesion in the gastric body. Biopsy of the gastric lesion showed metastatic clear cell RCC. He underwent partial gastrectomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. However, 4 months after surgery, he died from brain metastasis. Metastatic RCC to the stomach, although rare, should be suspected in any patient with a history of RCC who presents with gastrointestinal symptoms.