Renal cell carcinoma presenting as a scalp swelling
Eke, N.; Eghwrudjakpor, P.; Echem, R.C.
Nigerian Journal of Medicine Journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria 12(3): 154-156
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1115-2613 PMID: 14737987 Document Number: 556681
Renal cell carcinoma occasionally presents in an unusual manner. To report the rare presentation of renal cell carcinoma as a scalp swelling. The case record of a patient with renal cell carcinoma and the literature on the disease were reviewed. A 42-year old woman presented with a scalp swelling. Haematuria was missed at the first visit until she volunteered it on a subsequent visit. Investigations suggested renal cell carcinoma. This was confirmed following a right nephrectomy. The scalp lesion was a metastasis extending through the skull into the intracranial compartment. She was not given any systemic drugs because none was available. She survived until she was lost to follow up. Haematuria remains an important symptom of renal cell cancer and should be elicited during systemic enquiry.