Papillary renal cell carcinoma with metastatic laparoscopic port site and vaginal involvement: a case report

Renal cell carcinoma is well known for its ability to metastasize widely to nearly every organ in the body. While vaginal metastases are very rare, with the mode of spread still currently obscure, it is critical to differentiate these metastases from primary vaginal carcinomas, which are rare and constitute approximately 2% of all malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract [1]. To date, all renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastases to the vagina have been reported to be of the clear cell subtype. Additionally, up to September 2007, there were only 28 cases of port-site metastases involving urological malignancies reported. The etiology of port-site metastases has not been clearly established, though it appears to be multi-factorial [2].

A 71-year-old Chinese woman, with ischemic heart disease and a metallic stent and on prophylactic warfarin anticoagulation, presented to our institution with intermittent gross hematuria. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed an 8 cm mass in the upper pole of the right kidney, with no evidence of metastasis. Subsequently, a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed, with the specimen bagged and removed through a lower abdominal incision. Histology results showed a type II papillary RCC, pT3A, nuclear grade 3, without sarcomatoid differentiation, with focal invasion of adjacent perirenal fat but with sparing of Gerota's fascia (Figure 1). Our patient relapsed six months after surgery, with local recurrence and multiple lesions in the lungs, liver, peritoneum, mesentery, iliac, and abdominal wall, as well as a laparoscopic port site metastasis (Figure 1). She was started on sunitinib 37.5 mg daily, and one week later, she presented with vaginal bleeding. Her international normalized ratio (INR) was 1.46. Colposcopy revealed a urethral mass as well as a hard nodular bleeding mass on the right vaginal wall (Figure 1). A vaginal biopsy yielded a papillary carcinoma, histologically consistent with the earlier diagnosis of RCC. She underwent palliative radiotherapy (30 to 36Gy in 10 to 12 fractions) and the bleeding was halted. She declined further systemic treatment, and died six months later, approximately one year after initial nephrectomy. Informed consent for this publication was obtained from her family.

Approximately 80 cases of vaginal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma have been reported to date, with indeterminate prognostic implications from conflicting case reports. After undergoing treatment, mostly in the form of nephrectomy and excision of the vagina lesion, some patients continue to live with no evidence of the disease, whereas others show rapid deterioration. Our report represents the first case of papillary RCC metastasizing to the vagina, with the second such report of a concurrent laparoscopic port-site metastasis. This case is highlighted because the patterns of metastasis for clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma are recognized as being different [3]. Rare and unexpected sites of metastases in RCC are usually associated with the clear cell subtype.

Although immunohistochemical studies have suggested a common cellular origin for clear cell RCC and papillary RCC, there are distinct underlying genetic differences. Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene occurs in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma in both the germline and somatic settings [4], whereas the underlying pathways that drive papillary RCC, particularly in the somatic setting, are less established. Reports indicating the identification of a familial cancer syndrome including type II papillary RCC from an underlying germline mutation in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene and different activation patterns of cell cycle pathways between type I and type II papillary RCC have led to the role of metabolic signaling to be examined [5].

An anatomical explanation for vaginal metastasis has been advanced, supporting a predominant left-sided renal origin [6]. Consistent with the concept of retrograde venous spread as a mechanism of vaginal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma, retrograde flow of contrast medium from the left renal vein to the left ovarian vein, followed by filling of the ovarian and vaginal plexus has been demonstrated in patients with renal cell carcinoma [7]. Our case had a right-sided renal origin, but there was naturally widespread involvement of the systemic circulation including the lungs, which may account for this metastasis pattern.

Several hypotheses have been advanced to account for port-site metastasis, which is a recognized phenomenon [8‐10], including contamination during laparoscopic surgery via surgical apparatus stained with exfoliated tumor cells, pneumoperitoneum or preferential growth of tumor cells at sites of high cellular proliferation during wound healing at the port site [11]. It is recognized that although port-site metastasis are rare, they normally occur in the presence of advanced disease [12]. Given that the single previous report of a port-site metastasis in type 2 papillary RCC had a similar profile of metastatic sites involving the peritoneum and liver in addition to the port site [13], our case report provides minor support for the hypothesis that port-site metastasis is related to tumor factors rather than operative factors.

In summary, we report the first case of papillary renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to the vagina, with the second such report of a laparoscopic port-side metastasis. Our case report documenting a second port-site metastasis in a rare tumor provides support for the hypothesis that port-site metastases are related to tumor factors, and not operative factors.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient's next-of-kin for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.