Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We report here a case of RCC without preoperative tumor thrombus that had progressed to RCC with IVC tumor thrombus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a 50-mm mass in the right kidney with an indistinct border, contrast in the early phase and washout in the late phase. RARN was attempted for RCC. Intraoperatively, a tumor thrombus was unexpectedly observed. We converted to open surgery, and the right kidney and tumor thrombus were removed. Postoperative lymphorrhea was observed, but the patient recovered without any problems. Lung and bone metastases subsequently appeared, and the patient died 2 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should keep in mind that a tumor thrombus can grow rapidly before performing surgery for renal cell carcinoma.