Case Report
Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Published: Apr 30, 2024 | Pages: 37 - 40 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr.173-1706128578
Late metastasis of a clear-cell renal cell carcinoma in the gallbladder as a possible cause of acute cholecystitis: a case report
Authors:
Julie Tuypens
, Jaro Van Zande
, Klaas Van Den Heede
, Sam Van Slycke
Article Info
Authors
Julie Tuypens
Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst-Asse-Ninove, Aalst, Belgium
Jaro Van Zande
Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst-Asse-Ninove, Aalst, Belgium
Klaas Van Den Heede
Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst-Asse-Ninove, Aalst, Belgium
Sam Van Slycke
Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst-Asse-Ninove, Aalst, Belgium
Publication History
Received: January 24, 2024
Revised: February 18, 2024
Accepted: March 29, 2024
Published: April 30, 2024
Abstract
Background: Gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare. Case Presentation: We present a case of metastasis of clear cell carcinoma to the gallbladder, mimicking acute cholecystitis on clinical exam, in an 80-year-old man 24 years after radical nephrectomy. Ultrasound showed an image compatible with acute cholecystitis with sludge in the gallbladder. An elective cholecystectomy was performed with an uneventful postoperative course. Histopathologic examination revealed a metastasis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. The clinical presentation of acute cholecystitis can mask an RCC metastasis to the gallbladder, even several years after initial nephrectomy. This makes qualitative anatomopathological examination essential, especially with a neoplasia in the medical history. Gallbladder metastasis from RCC is not necessarily linked to a poor outcome. A cholecystectomy is recommended whenever possible. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering metastatic disease in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder masses and acute cholecystitis, even in patients with a history of treated primary tumors.
Keywords: Case Report, Gallbladder, Metastasis, Renal Cell Carcinoma, green
