Acute renal failure caused by renal infiltration by hematolymphoid malignancy

A rare cause of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Key Clinical Message

The presentation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) as the initial presenting sign of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is unusual, as PRES is more often a complication of therapy. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis for pediatric hypertension and its complications.

Abstract

A 6-year-old male presented with a seizure-like episode. Evaluation revealed hypertension and brain imaging showed findings consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Complete blood count showed lymphoblasts, and the cause of his hypertension was determined to be renal infiltration of leukemia cells due to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The Onco-Nephrology Field: The Role of Personalized Chemotherapy to Prevent Kidney Damage

In recent years, the onco-nephrology field has acquired a relevant role in internal medicine due to the growing number of cases of renal dysfunction that have been observed in cancer patients. This clinical complication can be induced by the tumor itself (for example, due to obstructive phenomena affecting the excretory tract or by neoplastic dissemination) or by chemotherapy, as it is potentially nephrotoxic. Kidney damage can manifest as acute kidney injury or represent a worsening of pre-existing chronic kidney disease. In cancer patients, physicians should try to set preventive strategies to safeguard the renal function, avoiding the concomitant use of nephrotoxic drugs, personalizing the dose of chemotherapy according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and using an appropriate hydration therapy in combination with nephroprotective compounds. To prevent renal dysfunction, a new possible tool useful in the field of onco-nephrology would be the development of a personalized algorithm for the patient based on body composition parameters, gender, nutritional status, GFR and genetic polymorphisms.

[Glomerulopathy in kidney neoplasms: frequency of occurrence, structure of morbidity]

BACKGROUND

Malignant neoplasms of the kidneys are among the 10 most common oncological diseases in Russia, in which various kidney lesions can occur, including glomerulopathy. Glomerular pathology can be an independent nosology, a manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome or metabolic disturbances.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the incidence and structure of glomerulopathies in patients with kidney neoplasms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed 141 samples with a tumor obtained during nephrectomy. To diagnose glomerular pathology, a fragment of the kidney parenchyma was examined at a distance of at least 4 cm from the tumor border. Histological slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, methenamine silver, trichrome Masson, Congo red, PAS reaction was performed. Immunofluorescent microscopy was performed with antibodies to IgA, IgG, IgM, C3c, C1q, Kappa light chain and Lambda light chain. Samples for electron microscopy were contrasted with a solution of 0.1% lead citrate.

RESULTS

Malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in 130 (92.2%) patients, benign ones - in 11 (7.8%) patients. In 59 patients with kidney tumors, glomerulopathies were detected, which amounted to 41.8%. All cases of glomerulopathies were diagnosed in combination with carcinomas of the kidneys and renal pelvis. Among 59 cases of glomerulopathy, diabetic nephropathy was diagnosed in 44 (74.6%) cases, IgA nephropathy - in 7 (11.9%) cases, membranous nephropathy - in 1 (1.6%), minimal change disease - in 2 (3.4%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - in 5 (8.5%).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates a high incidence of glomerulopathies in patients with malignant kidney tumors. The performed work emphasizes the importance of an in-depth morphological study of the kidneys in the presence of a tumor with an integrated approach to the treatment of patients.

Primary renal lymphoma in an immunocompetent patient

Renal lymphoma is rarely primary, but its diagnosis is critical because it requires specialized medical treatment. We present the case of a 59-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital for a painful left renal mass revealed by isolated chronic low back pain. A clinical examination revealed left lumbar tenderness. A non-lymphoma Hodgkin's type B was discovered during a renal biopsy. As part of the extension workup, a PET scan was performed, which revealed no secondary location, and the patient underwent chemotherapy. Following the start of chemotherapy, a complete remission was observed, as well as a reduction in the size of the kidney.

Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Cancer: A Review of Onconephrology

Over the past 2 decades, significant research and advancements have been made in oncology and its therapeutics. Thanks to novel diagnostic methods, treatments, and supportive measures, patients with cancer live longer and have a better quality of life. However, an unforeseen consequence of this progress has been increasing medical complications, including acute kidney injury. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the epidemiology and most common causes of acute kidney injury in patients with cancer unrelated to oncological treatment.

The pathological features of leukemic cells infiltrating the renal interstitium in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma from a large single Chinese center

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is rare in Asians, and patients with CLL/SLL seldomly undergo kidney biopsy. The histopathological features and clinical relevance of tubulointerstitial injury in CLL/SLL have not been extensively characterized. Hence, we attempted to describe the clinical characteristics, renal pathology and clinical outcome of a well-characterized population of CLL/SLL patients with CLL cell infiltration in the renal interstitium from a large single center in China.

Methods

Between January 1st, 2010 and September 31st, 2020, 31946renal biopsies were performed at Peking University First Hospital, and 10 CLL/SLL patients with CLL cell infiltration in the renal interstitium were included. Complete clinical data were collected from these 10 patients, and renal specimens were examined by routine light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.

Results

The extent of the infiltrating CLL cells in patients with CLL/SLL varied among different patients and ranged from 10 to 90% of kidney parenchyma. Six (60%) of 10 patients presented with an extent of infiltrating CLL cells ≥50%. Interestingly, we found that three patients (3/10, 30%) expressed monoclonal immunoglobulins in the infiltrating CLL cells, and special cytoplasmic crystalline structures were found in two of the three patients by electron microscopy for the first time. Severe renal insufficiency (Scr ≥200 μmol/L) was associated with ≥50% interstitial infiltration of CLL cells in the renal interstitium.

Conclusions

The current study confirmed that CLL cells infiltrating the renal interstitium can directly secrete monoclonal immunoglobulins, indicating that the interstitial infiltrating CLL cells possibly cause renal injury directly by secreting monoclonal immunoglobulins in situ. This finding may prove a new clue to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism of renal injury involved with CLL/SLL.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13000-021-01120-4.

Acute Kidney Injury in the Patient with Cancer

Over the last three decades, advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care of patients with cancer have significantly improved their overall survival. However, these advancements have also led to a higher rate of cancer-related complications. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly prevalent in patients with cancer, and they are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. This bidirectional interplay between cancer and kidney, termed "the kidney-cancer connection" has become a very active area of research. This review aims to provide an overview of some of the most common causes of AKI in patients with cancer. Cancer therapy-associated AKI is beyond the scope of this review and will be discussed separately.

Onconephrology: The intersections between the kidney and cancer

Onconephrology is a new subspecialty of nephrology that recognizes the important intersections of kidney disease with cancer. This intersection takes many forms and includes drug-induced nephrotoxicity, electrolyte disorders, paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis, and the interactions of chronic kidney disease with cancer. Data clearly demonstrate that, when patients with cancer develop acute or chronic kidney disease, outcomes are inferior, and the promise of curative therapeutic regimens is lessened. This highlights the imperative for collaborative care between oncologists and nephrologists in recognizing and treating kidney disease in patients with cancer. In response to this need, specific training programs in onconephrology as well as dedicated onconephrology clinics have appeared. This comprehensive review covers many of the critical topics in onconephrology, with a focus on acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, drug-induced nephrotoxicity, kidney disease in stem cell transplantation, and electrolyte disorders in patients with cancer.

Hyponatremia in Patients with Hematologic Diseases

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in clinical practice and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is frequently encountered in hematologic patients with either benign or malignant diseases. Several underlying mechanisms, such as hypovolemia, infections, toxins, renal, endocrine, cardiac, and liver disorders, as well as the use of certain drugs appear to be involved in the development or the persistence of hyponatremia. This review describes the pathophysiology of hyponatremia and discusses thoroughly the contributing factors and mechanisms that may be encountered specifically in patients with hematologic disorders. The involvement of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion and renal salt wasting syndrome (RSWS) in the development of hyponatremia in such patients, as well as their differential diagnosis and management, are also presented. Furthermore, the distinction between true hyponatremia and pseudohyponatremia is explained. Finally, a practical algorithm for the evaluation of hyponatremia in hematologic patients, as well as the principles of hyponatremia management, are included in this review.

Primary renal diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma causing haemodialysis-dependent nephromegaly in a child

A 4-year-old boy presented with fatigue and was found to have severe kidney injury requiring haemodialysis. A renal ultrasound demonstrated bilateral nephromegaly with mild loss of corticomedullary differentiation but preserved echogenicity. He had a persistent isolated monocytosis. Renal biopsy revealed extensive infiltration by primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He required haemodialysis for 18 days and received chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, rituximab and intrathecal methotrexate. He achieved remission with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 50 mL/min/1.73 m², and his kidneys returned to normal size. Nephromegaly due to renal-limited haematolymphoid disease is extremely rare, especially in children.

Renal infiltration presenting as acute kidney injury in Hodgkin lymphoma - A case report and review of the literature

Renal involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is rare, although extralymphatic disease is usually found. Acute kidney injury is a recognized presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with bilateral kidney involvement, promptly requiring specific treatment. Regarding to HL, this manifestation is extremely rare and lacks pathologic description and management experiences. Herein, we describe a case of HL with atypical presentation as well as its management, current evaluation by PET-scan and histologic findings. This case report highlights clinical presentation and a successful experience on managing these cases. Moreover, it is important to drive biologic insights for understanding of kidney infiltration mechanism in HL.

A Child with Bulky Kidneys and Renal Failure

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. Acute renal failure is a well-recognized complication of ALL after initiation of chemotherapy. Renal failure as the primary manifestation of ALL with no evidence of tumor lysis is rare.

Plasma Cell Infiltration of the Kidney as a Manifestation of Myeloma: A Report of Three Cases

Infiltration of renal parenchyma by neoplastic plasma cells in myeloma patients is an unusual finding. We report 3 cases of myeloma, with renal biopsy being the first clue to the diagnosis in one. The plasma cell infiltrate in other two cases was not so evident but immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for light chains helped establish the monoclonal nature of the infiltrate. We surmise that plasma cell infiltration in the kidney can be an important clue to the diagnosis of an underlying myeloma and could in future be regarded as a myeloma-defining event (MDE) if monoclonality is confirmed. This finding could directly affect the prognosis and be a direct indicator of the tumor burden. Further studies are however required to determine the exact prognostic value and precise relationship of such a finding with deranged renal functions in myeloma.

Glomerulonephritis With Masked Monotypic Immunoglobulin Deposits and Concurrent Lymphomatous Infiltration

Kidney injury can be a complication of hematopoietic neoplasia by both direct and indirect mechanisms. Virtually all lymphomas and plasma cell dyscrasias can show kidney involvement, including parenchymal infiltration and by secondary injury. Recently, a unique form of glomerulonephritis with masked monotypic immunoglobulin deposits has been reported, which shows frequent association with hematopoietic neoplasia and a propensity for progressive kidney disease. In many instances, these cases are likely diagnosed as glomerulonephritis with dominant C3 due to the absence of immunoglobulin staining by routine immunofluorescence microscopy. The patient reported here showed lymphomatous infiltration on kidney biopsy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with dominant staining for C3 without immunoglobulins on initial immunofluorescence; however, monotypic immunoglobulin G κ light chain was revealed after additional immunofluorescence staining was performed on the paraffin-embedded tissue. This patient's case highlights the evolving state of kidney biopsy interpretation and the expanding spectrum of kidney disease in the setting of hematopoietic neoplasia.

Renal Presentation in Pediatric Acute Leukemia: Report of 2 Cases

Renal enlargement at time of diagnosis of acute leukemia is very unusual. We here in report 2 pediatric cases of acute leukemia who had their renal affection as the first presenting symptom with no evidences of blast cells in blood smear and none of classical presentation of acute leukemia. The first case is a 4-year-old girl who presented with pallor and abdominal enlargement. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral symmetrical homogenous enlarged kidneys suggestive of infiltration. Complete blood picture (CBC) revealed white blood count 11 × 10⁹/L, hemoglobin 8.7 g/dL and platelet count 197 × 10⁹/L. Bone marrow aspiration was performed, and diagnosed precursor B-cell ALL was made. The child had an excellent response to modified CCG 1991 standard risk protocol of chemotherapy with sustained remission, but unfortunately relapsed 11 month after the end of therapy. The second child was 13-month old, presented with pallor, vomiting, abdominal enlargement, and oliguria 2 days before admission. Initial CBC showed bicytopenia, elevated blood urea, creatinine, and serum uric acid, while abdominal ultrasonography revealed bilateral renal enlargement. Bone marrow examination was done and showed 92% blast of biphenotypic nature. So, biphynotypic leukemia with bilateral renal enlargement and acute renal failure was subsequently diagnosed. The patients admitted to ICU and received supportive care and prednisolone. Renal function normalized and chemotherapy was started. The child achieved complete remission with marked reduction of kidney size but, unfortunately she died from sepsis in consolidation phase of therapy. This case demonstrates an unusual early renal enlargement in childhood acute leukemia. Renal involvement of acute leukemia should be considered in child presenting with unexplained bilateral renal enlargement with or without renal function abnormalities and bone marrow examination should be included in the workup.

The spectrum of kidney pathology in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma: a 25-year multicenter experience

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma are 2 different presentations of the most common B-cell neoplasm in western countries (CLL/SLL). In this disease, kidney involvement is usually silent, and is rarely reported in the literature. This study provides a clinicopathological analysis of all-cause kidney disease in CLL/SLL patients.

Methods

Fifteen CLL/SLL patients with kidney biopsy were identified retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, pathological and laboratory data were assessed at biopsy, and during follow-up.

Results

At biopsy 11 patients presented impaired renal function, 7 patients nephrotic syndrome, 6 patients dysproteinemia, and 3 patients cryoglobulinemia. Kidney pathology revealed CLL/SLL-specific monoclonal infiltrate in 10 biopsies, glomerulopathy in 9 biopsies (5 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 2 minimal change disease, 1 glomerulonephritis with organized microtubular monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits, 1 AHL amyloidosis). Five patients presented interstitial granulomas attributed to CLL/SLL. After treatment of the hematological disease, improvement of renal function was observed in 7/11 patients, and remission of nephrotic syndrome in 5/7 patients. During follow-up, aggravation of the kidney disease systematically occurred in the absence of favorable response to hematological treatment.

Conclusions

A broad spectrum of kidney diseases is associated with CLL/SLL. In this setting, kidney biopsy can provide important information for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance.

Acute kidney injury as first presentation of lymphoma: the role of renal biopsy

A 65-year-old man with an insidious history of being generally unwell with weight loss, a poor appetite and night sweats was transferred to a tertiary nephrology unit after being found to be in acute kidney injury (AKI). A renal biopsy was performed on the same day which revealed lymphomatous infiltration of the renal parenchyma. He required temporary haemodialysis as he was oliguric and was started on chemotherapy. His renal function improved to baseline 3 weeks after treatment. This case illustrates the uncommon presentation of direct lymphomatous infiltration as a cause of AKI and the integral role of renal biopsy in ascertaining the diagnosis.

A case of acute renal failure caused by Hodgkin's lymphoma: concurrent membranous glomerulonephritis and interstitial HL-CD 20 lymphoid infiltration

Although acute renal failure developing due to malignancies is a frequent condition, malignant renal infiltration is rarely observed among these causes. Among all malignant diseases, the hematolymphoid malignancies are the most prone to renal infiltration. Other types involved in cases with lymphoma are glomerulopathies, including immune-complex glomerular diseases such as minimal change disease, membranous glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. We present herein the rare case of a 22-year-old male with both membranous glomerulonephritis and CD20 (+) lymphoid infiltration related to Hodgkin's lymphoma in the renal interstitial tissue, as detected on biopsy. The patient was treated with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine protocol after pulse corticosteroid treatment, and a dramatic improvement in renal function was observed after 2 days of treatment. In this article, an exceptional renal involvement of Hodgkin's lymphoma is discussed in light of the related literature.

Renal failure caused by plasma cell infiltration in multiple myeloma

We report on a case of severe renal failure in a 61-year-old female with multiple myeloma (MM). Two months prior to admission, the patient was diagnosed to have anemia and progressive renal failure associated with urinary Bence Jones protein and was referred to our hospital. A bone marrow biopsy revealed 40% plasma cells with κ light chain restriction. Thus, she was considered to have MM. A renal biopsy revealed neoplastic plasma cell infiltration within the kidney, moderate interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and punctate, electron-dense material along the peripheral capillary walls, tubular basement membrane, and in the interstitium of the kidney. This suggested that a combination of compression of the tubules and the microvasculature by the infiltrative process, and local light chain deposition-mediated tissue damage might be implicated in the development of renal failure in this patient. Despite a remission of bone marrow plasmacytosis with a bortezomib-based regimen, her renal function gradually deteriorated and a periodic hemodialysis program was finally required. Although the clinical impact of the direct kidney infiltration of neoplastic plasma cells on the longitudinal changes in renal function remains to be delineated, it is reasonable to consider that the infiltration of neoplastic plasma cells associated with local light chain depositions may result in irreversible renal injuries. Obviously, further studies and accumulation of additional experience with renal biopsy are required to better determine the precise and prognostic relationship between renal outcome and morphological alterations among MM patients with varying degrees of renal impairment.

[Acute renal failure caused by renal lymphoma. A case report]

Acute renal failure, as the initial manifestation of lymphoma, has been reported only in a few cases. In this work, we report the case of a 28-year-old women admitted for acute renal failure. Her physical examination detected bilateral kidney enlargement. Laboratory evaluation revealed a serum creatinine value 218 micromol/l. A 24-hour urine collection analysis allowed the detection of 1g of protein. No red cells were found after urinanalysis. Renal ultrasound showed massively enlarged kidneys. Renal biopsy of the kidney and pathologic examination showed diffuse infiltration of the interstitium with lymphocytes and atypical cells positive for CD20 markers. A diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell type non-Hodgkin lymphoma was made. However, investigations revealed the presence of two others sites of lymphoma: gastric and ophthalmic. The patient's renal function and kidney size as well as the other lymphoma locations were normalized after the initiation of chemotherapy.