Haematuria in a 60-year-old man

Problem 20 Haematuria in a 60-year-old man







The patient is obese, with a pulse of 65/min and a blood pressure 130/80 mmHg. There is a large mass palpable in his left abdomen below his costal margin.



His urine microscopy shows >1000 red blood cells, and culture had no growth. Haemoglobin is 132 g/L, creatinine 128, and liver function tests are normal. A representative slice from the contrast-enhanced CT scan is shown in Figure 20.1.




For tumour staging the CT also assesses for invasion of adjacent structures (renal vein, perinephric fat, adrenal gland, pancreas) and metastases (lungs, bone, liver, adrenal). None of these is identified.


Tumour stage is the most important prognostic factor (Table 20.1).


Table 20.1 Prognosis according to tumour stage


















Renal Tumour 5-Year Survival
Confined to kidney 75–90%
Invades perinephric fat, adrenal, renal vein, IVC 50–70%
Lymph node involvement 30%
Distant metastases 5%


The histopathology confirms a clear cell RCC which is invading perinephric fat and into the collecting system. There is no local lymph node involvement and the surgical margins are free of tumour. The patient makes an uneventful recovery.


Six months later the patient is reviewed. He has no urinary symptoms, has a good appetite, stable weight and enjoys being back at work. His creatinine is 108, and a CT chest, abdomen and pelvis is performed. This shows enlarged subcarinal nodes. The solitary right kidney appears normal and there are no pulmonary lesions (Figure 20.2).




This location is very difficult to sample due to its deep, central location, and a percutaneous biopsy is not possible. A transtracheal needle aspirate via a bronchoscopy is performed and only yields inflammatory material. A PET/CT scan is arranged and shows the following (Figure 20.3).




A further attempt at biopsy of this enlarged lymph node is made by transoesophageal aspirate via endoscopy with ultrasound guidance. Cytology confirms malignant clear cells consistent with metastatic RCC.


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Apr 2, 2017 | Posted by in GENERAL SURGERY | Comments Off on Haematuria in a 60-year-old man

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