Grand Rounds

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is a rare malignancy, accounting for fewer than 1 % of all kidney tumors. This form of cancer normally develops in the urinary tract's transitional epithelium, and its presence in the renal pelvis is extremely rare.

In this report, we discuss the clinical and pathological aspects of a patient with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. The patient, a 58-year-old man, had flank discomfort associated with burning micturition. A right nephrectomy was done after imaging investigations indicated right kidney hydronephrosis. The diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by pathological investigation of the specimen. The patient has received 4cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine. One month later, the patient was referred for a metastatic mass in the chest wall.

Because of the tumor's rarity, diagnosis and therapy are difficult. This case report emphasizes the significance of including primary squamous cell carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of renal pelvic tumors, especially in individuals with risk factors such as smoking and chronic renal calculi.

Renal pelvis squamous cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, high-grade tumor with a poor prognosis. Chronic irritation plays a substantial role in the process. Thus, patients with a history of urolithiasis should be monitored closely.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the kidney parenchyma is extremely rare, with only seven cases reported to date. Herein, we present a case of primary with colon invasion.

A 61-year-old man presented right flank pain for 5 months. Computed tomography (CT) showed multiple renal stones and a necrotic mass in the lower pole of the right kidney, which was suspicious for ascending colon invasion. There was no history of radiation or occupational exposure to chemicals. Radical nephrectomy, right hemicolectomy, and lymph node dissection were performed. The kidneys showed a solid mass with multiple renal stones. The tumor comprised nests of atypical squamous cells and keratin pearls; however, the renal pelvis was normal. 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT failed to demonstrate other primary site. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as primary SCC of the kidney. The patient did not receive adjuvant therapy and was alive during follow-up for 6 months after surgery.

SCC of the urinary tract is considered to be the result of squamous metaplasia of the urothelium, which may potentially progress to SCC. Squamous metaplasia may be caused by chronic irritation. However, the mechanism of SCC remains unclear. Although the prognosis of SCC is similar to that of urothelial carcinoma when compared stage for stage, SCC tends to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

This is a rare case of kidney SCC with adjacent organ invasion. Additional studies are required to further our understanding of this rare tumor and improve diagnosis and treatment.

Primary renal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare primary malignancy of the kidney. Diagnosis is usually delayed because of its lack of characteristic clinical and imaging features and inherent aggressive nature. We present a case of primary renal SCC in a 66-year-old woman with bilateral renal calculi and a complex right lower pole renal mass. The diagnosis of primary renal SCC was established based on the histopathology after right nephrectomy.