A large and metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney

Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor: A rare case with a good prognosis

Background

Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (rPNET) has the characteristics of a difficult preoperative diagnosis, a high degree of malignancy, easy early metastasis or postoperative recurrence, a poor prognosis, and so on. However, rPNET that has no metastasis before surgery can have a good survival prognosis only after radical surgical resection.

Methods

We report the case of a 14-year-old male patient with a renal tumor who underwent open radical left nephrectomy without radiotherapy or chemotherapy before or after surgery, as confirmed by postoperative pathological results. The prognosis was followed up by a regular review of the chest and whole abdomen on CT, hematuria analysis, renal function, and electrolytes according to the guidelines for renal cancer.

Results

Postoperative pathological results confirmed rPNET; no adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy were performed after surgery; no tumor recurrence or metastasis were observed during the follow-up of nearly 5 years.

Conclusions

Despite the high degree of rPNET malignancy, patients without metastases before surgery can still obtain a good survival prognosis through timely radical surgery.

A rare case report of renal ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor with ACTH production

Background

Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the renal is extremely rare. The common cause of ectopic ACTH syndrome is pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, such as small cell carcinomas and carcinoid tumors. Here, we present an unusual case of ectopic ACTH syndrome and hypothyroidism caused by Ewing sarcoma/PNET of the right kidney.

Case presentation

A 19-year-old girl presented with a history of right lumbar pain and discomfort for 2 months, aggravated for 2 days. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography and computed tomography angiography showed an upper pole occupancy of the right kidney occupancy with subepithelial hemorrhage. Preoperative hormone levels including plasma total cortisol (PTC), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and thyroid hormone measurements were abnormal, indicating that the patient had Cushing syndrome and hypothyroidism. The patient underwent right radical nephrectomy. Histopathological analysis revealed a renal small round blue cell tumor (consistent with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor), with positive immunohistochemistry for CD99 and Ki67 (about 10%) and molecular pathology for EWSR1 gene fusions. PTC, ACTH and thyroid hormone returned to normal after surgery.

Conclusions

We report a rare ectopic ACTH syndrome and hypothyroidism due to renal Ewing sarcoma/PNET. The clinical manifestation of renal Ewing sarcoma/PNET is non-specific and the diagnosis relies on pathological morphology, immunohistochemistry and fusion gene detection. At present, surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used in the treatment, but the prognosis is still not optimistic.

Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor with elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels: A case report

Introduction

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are small round‐cell tumors – Ewing sarcoma family, frequently occurring in the extremities, but rarely in the kidney.

Case presentation

A 58‐year‐old woman presented with whole‐body edema and weakness of lower limb muscles. Computed tomography revealed a left renal tumor, and the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone level was elevated. The tumor was surgically removed without complications, her plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone reverted to normal levels, and symptoms disappeared after surgery. Histopathological examination revealed a primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising in her kidney. The patient was alive without metastasis 3 years after the surgery.

Conclusion

We report the first case of renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor accompanying elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels which are thought to be produced and secreted in an ectopic fashion.