gms | German Medical Science

Primary adenocarcinoma accounts for about 0.5–2.0% of all malignant tumors of the urinary tract [1]. The most common sites for this tumor are urinary bladder, followed by ureter and renal pelvis. Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is an extremely rare tumor, which has only been reported through a handful of cases to date. Herein, we report a case of a 31-year-old-male, who was suspected to have renal stone disease radiologically, but diagnosed to be having mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis with carcinoma in situ of ureter based on the histopathological profile.

A 31-year-old male of Asian-Indian origin presented to the outpatient department with a one-year history of dull aching right-sided flank pain. There were associated symptoms of abdominal distension and difficulty in voiding urine for the same duration. There was no history of polyuria, graveluria, hematuria or dysuria. On examination, right costovertebral angle tenderness was noted. General and systemic examinations were unremarkable. No lymphadenopathy was noted. On investigation, complete blood count and liver and renal function tests were within normal limits. Urine microscopy showed increased pus cells (20–30/high power field); there were no red blood cells, casts, crystals or malignant cells. Ultrasonography of kidney, ureter and bladder region revealed right-sided hydronephrosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a hyperdense mass of 2.3x4.6 mm in the right renal pelvis with severe hydronephrosis and cortical thinning (Figure 1 [Fig. 1]). Renal dynamic scan revealed a poorly functioning right-sided kidney. Considering the poor functional status, right-sided nephrectomy was performed and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. On gross examination, the kidney measured 11x8x5 cm with a cut surface showing dilated pelvicalyceal system filled with slimy watery fluid; the renal pelvis was thickened with a greyish-white cut surface. Multiple stones were noted in the pelvis and kidney parenchyma. Microscopic examination revealed features of chronic pyelonephritis; the adjacent renal pelvis showed pseudostratified columnar epithelial metaplasia with presence of tumor cells arranged in the form of glands and suspended in mucin pools. The tumor infiltrated lamina propria and superficial layers of the muscle coat of the renal pelvis (Figure 2 [Fig. 2], Figure 3 [Fig. 3], Figure 4 [Fig. 4], Figure 5 [Fig. 5]). Adenocarcinoma in situ was noted in the adjacent ureter (Figure 6 [Fig. 6]). Pathological TNM staging was pT_2aN_xM_x.

The resected margins were free from tumor. A diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the right renal pelvis with carcinoma in situ of adjacent ureter was made. The patient did not receive adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. He has remained disease-free on clinical grounds until six months of postoperative follow-up.

Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) are the most common type of urothelial malignancy. On the other hand, primary adenocarcinoma of the urothelial tract is uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all the malignant tumors in this region [1], [2]. The peak incidence of primary adenocarcinoma of the urothelial tract has been reported in the sixth and seventh decades of life. Its occurrence in the younger population is extremely rare, with only three cases reported in patients aged <35 years [3], [4], [5]. The histogenetic profile of this rare entity is not clearly known and is postulated to be related to chronic irritation of the lining epithelium due to urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, and hydronephrosis. This may result in glandular metaplasia, eventually developing into mucinous adenocarcinoma [6]. The clinical and radiological presentation is varied and often overlaps with renal stone disease, thus accounting for the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis. Often, patients present late with vague symptoms like flank pain and abdominal distension with or without hematuria when the tumor is already at an advanced stage. It is important to exclude metastasis from primary sites such as urachus, prostate, colon, female genital tract, appendix, stomach, and breast before making the diagnosis of this rare tumor. The closest differential is metastatic urachal adenocarcinoma (Table 1 [Tab. 1]) [7], [8], [9], [10]. Since metastasis from urachal adenocarcinoma may closely mimic adenocarcinoma of the urothelial region, a comparison of histopathological and immunohistochemical features of these two malignancies has been provided in Table 2 [Tab. 2] [11]. The typical immunohistochemical profile of adenocarcinoma of the urothelial region comprises of positivity for CK7, CK20, CDX2, EMA, villin, MUC1, MUC2, and MUC3 [12].

Surgery is the treatment of choice for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis, standard therapy being radical nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision [13], [14]. Due to the rarity of this tumor and lack of properly representative data, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy is still not clear. The overall prognosis has been reported as relatively poor in the majority of studies [9], [15].

To conclude, mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is an extremely rare tumor whose preoperative diagnosis is almost always missed, making histopathology crucial. The case has been reported in view of its rarity and occurrence in a young patient. This report will enrich the current literature on this rare variety of tumors.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Mayank Gupta (consultant urologist, Neo Hospital, Noida, India) for performing surgical intervention on the patient.