A rare co-occurrence of renal cell carcinoma, bilateral adrenal metastasis and inferior vena cava thrombus: A case report

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis from RCC varies between 1.1 and 10 %, on the other hand, the presence of bilateral adrenal metastasis from solitary RCC is extremely rare, with less than 20 reported cases in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old man presented to the clinic with hematuria. Further investigations, contrast CT, showed mass at the right kidney and adrenal gland, a mass on the left adrenal gland and inferior cava thrombosis measuring 3*6 cm. The patient underwent, first, right nephrectomy and adrenalectomy with thrombectomy and IVC plasty. Microscopic examination showed clear cell renal cell carcinoma, while adrenal tissue showed metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The patient was followed up from the oncological, endocrinological and cardiac point of view. After 6 months he underwent left adrenalectomy. Subsequent follow-up showed body free of metastases. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The co-occurrence of renal cell carcinoma, bilateral adrenal metastasis, and inferior vena cava thrombus is a very rare phenomenon in the literature. Most patients with adrenal metastasis are asymptomatic, and the adrenal function is typically preserved even when malignancy affects bilateral adrenal glands. In addition, patients with adrenal ipsilateral metastases typically have primary renal tumors with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: The Diagnosis and management are a surgical challenge. Contrast-enhanced CT scan is the preferred imaging modality for renal cell carcinoma. The surgical intervention is mandatory if it can increase survival rate.