Primary Ewing sarcoma of the kidney: a rare entity with diagnostic challenges

Abstract

Ewing sarcoma is a very rare tumour with aggressive behaviour and a poor prognosis. It tends to metastasize rapidly. Renal Ewing sarcoma is extremely rare, and only 48 cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report the case of a 14-year-old female presenting with a painful left flank swelling. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large tumour invading the left kidney, heterogeneously enhanced after injection, associated with lymph nodes and peritoneal carcinomatosis. A thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computed tomography scan revealed pulmonary nodules and osteolytic lesions. A biopsy was performed, and histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular studies confirmed the diagnosis of retroperitoneal Ewing sarcoma. Multi-agent chemotherapy followed by radical nephrectomy was performed, confirming the renal origin, and histology showed a post-therapeutical response. After a 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence. We report this case to highlight the rarity of this entity and its challenging clinico-pathological diagnosis when presenting as a renal tumour.