Urologie pro praxi 3/2018

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending in the right atrium

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common primary kidney tumor. Czech Republic has the highest incidence of this type of tumor in the world. The occurrence of a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava is recorded in 4 % up to 10 % of patients at the time of diagnosis. Renal cell carcinoma is in the most cases clinically mute or it may appear by atypical symptoms. In our case, the diagnosis of the renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending in the right atrium was incidental, based on the sudden stuffiness. In collaboration with cardiac surgeons, the patient underwent a radical nephrectomy with cavotomy and exstirpation of the tumor thrombus protruding into right atrium through visual control. Despite the advanced stage of the tumor thrombus, the surgery was successful and there is similar prognosis as if the tumor thrombus was restricted to the renal vein.

Keywords: kidney carcinoma, tumor thrombus.