CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2016 June;29(3):103-5

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Metastasis from colon cancer mimicking pyonephrosis

Adamantios MICHALINOS ¹, Konstantinos STRAVODIMOS ², Penelope KORKOLOPOULOU ³, John GRINIATSOS ¹

¹ 1st Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece; ² 1st Department of Urology, University of Athens, Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece; ³ Department of Pathologoy, University of Athens, Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece

Isolated kidney metastases from colonic cancer is a rare clinical entity with few only cases reported worldwide. When encountered they present difficult diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas since differential diagnosis between a novel kidney mass and metastatic disease is difficult using radiologic means only and thus a biopsy might prove necessary. Nephrectomy has no proven survival benefit and its role is mainly palliative in symptomatic patients, yet its value must be weighed against possible morbidity, impairment of renal function and delay or undermining of other treatment options. In the light of these less invasive treatment options have been proposed. Pathophysiology and spread routes leading to this rare presentation are not completely understood. Clinicians should be aware of such rare presentation so to choose best treatment options and avoid unnecessary operations.