A rare case of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the sinonasal area

Abstract

We report a rare case of a hypernephroma that had metastasized to the sinonasal area as a solitary mass. Despite much difficulty, a confirmatory biopsy of the nasal mass was obtained. After radiotherapy had failed to arrest the tumor's growth, the mass was removed via a craniofacial resection. This case illustrates the importance of(1) a high index of suspicion in differentiating this rare tumor from other benign or malignant diseases, (2) awareness of the risk of hemorrhage and the role of preoperative embolization, (3) the need for paraffin histology rather than fine-needle aspiration or frozen section diagnosis, (4) individualizing therapy after due consideration of the characteristics of both the patient and the tumor, and (5) keeping abreast of the most current therapeutic modalities so that patient management can be individualized and optimized. Surgical excision offers the best hope for long-term survival, and it reduces the degree of pain, epistaxis, and disfigurement from the expanding tumor. When such tumors are not resectable, management with radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy can be considered.