Nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting with persistent cough: Case report with literature review

Abstract

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC), constitute 80– 85% of primary renal neoplasms. The classic triad of RCC (flank pain, hematuria, and a palpable abdominal renal mass) occurs in approximately 9% of patients; it strongly suggests locally advanced disease. RCC may also be associated with a number of paraneoplastic syndromes. These are typically due to ectopic production of various hormones. We present a 69-year-old male patient previously healthy presented to the emergency department with recurrent persistent cough. A non-metastatic RCC was incidentally discovered. Eventually, he underwent left radical nephrectomy. One year has passed with no cough. This is a rare and unusual presentation of RCC that falls under the category of paraneoplastic syndrome with review of similar reported cases and summary of all paraneoplastic syndromes associated with RCC in literature.

Keywords

Cough - paraneoplastic syndrome - prostaglandins - renal cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), which originate within the renal cortex, constitute 80–85% of primary renal neoplasms. The classic triad of RCC (flank pain, hematuria, and a palpable abdominal renal mass) occurs in approximately 9% of patients; when present, it strongly suggests locally advanced disease. Other symptoms and signs are related to invasion of adjacent structures or distant metastases.[1]

RCC may also be associated with a number of paraneoplastic syndromes. These are typically due to ectopic production of various hormones (erythropoietin, parathyroid hormone–related protein, gonadotropins, human chorionic somatomammotropin, renin, glucagon, and insulin).[2]

Very few cases have been reported as nonmetastatic RCC presenting with persistent cough.

CASE REPORT

A 69-year-old male presented to the emergency department with new onset persistent dry cough. He denied any fever, chills, rhinorrhea, and myalgias. He has no significant past medical history and takes no chronic medications. He has no known drug or environmental allergies. Vitals signs showed heart rate of 88 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute, and blood pressure of 135/85mm Hg. His physical exam was unremarkable except for mild diffuse expiratory wheezes on lung auscultation. A chest X-ray was clear. Laboratory values including a complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic panel were also normal. He was given dextromethorphan liquid and inhalational albuterol with complete resolution of symptoms, and he was discharged home with instructions to follow-up with his primary care physician. Two weeks later, his cough recurred, however, associated with left-sided chest pain. He re-presented to the emergency department. A computed tomography (CT) angiography of the chest was performed to rule out pulmonary embolism. No pulmonary pathology was found; however, he did have a 4.3-cm left renal mass most compatible with RCC [Figure 1].

Figure 1: Axial lower section of computed tomography scan of the chest with intravenous contrast showing an incidental left renal mass suggestive of renal cell carcinoma

He was admitted to the hospital and CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of metastasis. An magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed irregular enhancing 5-cm mass on the left kidney [Figure 2] and [Figure 3] most consistent with RCC.{Figure 2}, {Figure 3}

Figure 2: Coronal section of magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen demonstrating an irregular enhancing 5-cm mass on the left kidney most consistent with renal cell carcinoma

Figure 3: Axial section of magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen demonstrating an irregular enhancing mass on the left kidney most consistent with renal cell carcinoma

He was scheduled for laparoscopic nephrectomy. Prior to his nephrectomy, he had several exacerbations of cough with asthma-like episodes including wheezing and dyspnea. These responded well to corticosteroids. He underwent left radical nephrectomy. Surgical pathology confirmed clear cell RCC, Fuhrman nuclear grade 2. The margins of resection are free of tumor. No lymph node identified. Postoperatively his cough resolved. One year has passed and he is cough free.

DISCUSSION

This patient had very unusual presentation of nonmetastatic RCC with cough. It has been suggested that RCC secretes prostaglandins (mainly E2) that can cause cough reflex through the prostaglandin E receptor 3 pathway.[3]

There are a number of reasons why we believe the patient’s cough was directly related to his RCC. The patient never had asthma or cough previously. His symptoms coincided with his RCC. Imaging showed no metastasis to lung or extension of tumor to the diaphragm, which in some cases can cause cough through direct irritation. Symptoms were resolved after nephrectomy, which supports the theory that RCC induced cough via secretion of prostaglandins. Cough receptors are situated in the larynx and the tracheobronchial tree; C-fiber receptors may contribute. Postnasal drip, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are the underlying causes of chronic cough in almost 90% of cases.[3],[4] Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can cause cough through accumulation of bradykinin.[5]

Okubo et al.[6] reported a case where a patient had weight loss and intractable cough, and was found to have RCC that was surgically removed and cough symptoms were resolved for 7 months. The patient’s cough recurred and patient was found to have metastatic recurrence of RCC. Mastectomy was performed with complete removal of the tumor and after 18 months patient remains cough free.

Benzodiazepines has been suggested to alleviate severe cough symptoms in those patients as Estfan and Walsh[7] reported a case of intractable cough in a patient with metastatic RCC that only responded to diazepam. Fujikawa et al.[8] reported a case of a patient with RCC who developed a refractory cough, which was immediately resolved after tumor embolization. Similarly, Roberts et al.[9] reported a case of chronic cough, fever, and weight loss and incidental discovery of RCC; his symptoms were completely resolved within 24h after nephrectomy.

Unlike other reported cases, our patient did not have other signs or symptoms suggestive of malignancy or RCC, such as weight loss, fever, anemia, or hematuria that warrants further workup. He solely presented with cough prior to RCC diagnosis contrary to other cases that had a diagnosis of RCC prior to presenting with cough.

Unfortunately neither our case, nor other reported cases demonstrated an increase in the levels of serum prostaglandins or bradykinins. However, all developed persistent cough, which was refractory to usual treatment, and a diagnosis of RCC was made. Following nephrectomy a complete resolution of cough was noted.

This case report details the importance of thorough evaluation of refractory cough and physician should consider occult RCC as a possible etiology, in the absence of more common suggestive signs or symptoms such as anemia. RCC can present in various ways; some are common and some are extremely rare. All are linked to paraneoplastic etiology. We searched literature and summarized all of those presentations [Table 1] [16].

Table 1

Drugs

Paraneoplastic Syndrome	Incidence	Prognostic or treatment monitoring significance	Highest level of Evidence	Pathogenesis
ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic hormone, HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin, AA: Amyloid type A, N/A: Not Available, PTHrP: Parathyroid hormone-related protein. aAnemia can be a paraneoplastic syndrome due to Lactoferrin secretion or due to hematuria. bHypercalcemia can be a paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to PTHrP and Prostaglandins secretion or due to bony metastasis. cPotential mechanisms of hypertension in these patients include increased renin secretion, ureteral or parenchymal compression, presence of an arteriovenous fistula, and polycythemia. dNephrectomy may result in the amelioration of hepatic dysfunction. Recurrent elevations of liver enzymes after nephrectomy may herald local recurrence or distant metastatic disease. It is crucial for all medical practitioners to be aware of different presentations of RCC which can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. In essence, decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with such devastating disease. Abbreviations: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), Amyloid type A (AA), Not Available (N/A), Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP).
Anemia[2]	29-88%	N/A	Prospective studies	Lactoferrin secretion by tumora
Hypercalcemia[2] [10]	13-20%	Correlates with higher stage and decrease survival	Prospective studies	PTHrP secretion by tumorb
Constitutional (fever weight loss and fatigue)[2] [11]	20 - 30%, fever being most common	N/A	Prospective studies	Prostaglandins secretion by tumor
Hypertension[2] [11]	Hypertension among age- matched controls is close to 20%, almost 40% of those with RCC experience hypertension.	N/A	Prospective studies	Renin secretion by tumor Elevated levels in 37% in RCC and 87% in Wilms' tumor.
Non metastatic Hepatic Dysfunction[12] (Stauffer's Syndrome)	3 - 20%	Poor prognosisd	Prospective studies	Hepatotoxins or lysosomal enzymes secreted by RCC that stimulate hepatic cathepsins or phosphatases, which leads to hepato-cellular injury.
Polycythemia[2] [11]	1 - 8%	No prognostic significance Erythropoietin levels may have a role as marker of therapeutic response.	Prospective studies	Erythropoietin secretion by tumor
Secondary AA Amylodosis[13]	4 %	N/A	Case Reports	Mechanism of amyloid production in RCC is not well understood but may involve prolonged stimulation of the immune system by growth of the malignancy or tumor necrosis.
Thrombocytosis[14]	Not reported	Poor prognosis	Retrospective Cohort	Mechanism is not firmly established but could be related to IL-6 production by the tumor
Polymyalgia Rheumatica[15]	Few Cases	N/A; resolved after nephrectomy	Case Reports	Unknown. Did not respond to Prednisone.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[16]	Few Cases	N/A; resolved after nephrectomy	Case Report	Unknown
Endocrinopathies (elevated ACTH, HCG, Prolactin, Insulin, Glucagon; resulting in Cushing, Galactorrhea, Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia)[11]	Not reported	N/A	Case Reports	Secretion of these hormones by tumor
Others (Light chain nephropathy, vasculitis and coagulopathies)[11]	Not reported	N/A	Case Reports	Unknown

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Publication History

Article published online:
09 August 2021