Vaginal metastasis and thrombocytopenia from renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Vaginal cancer represents approximately 1-2% of genital tract malignancies. Most cases represent metastasis from the cervix, endometrium, or colon. Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the vagina is extremely rare.

Case: A 58-year-old female presented with a bleeding vaginal lesion. Laboratory studies revealed severe thrombocytopenia, and radiological studies revealed a left renal mass; excision was consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A subsequent nephrectomy confirmed renal cell carcinoma. Postoperatively, the patient underwent immunotherapy and the thrombocytopenia resolved.

Conclusion: We report the first case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a vaginal metastasis with thrombocytopenia as a paraneoplastic manifestation. Renal cell carcinoma must be in the differential diagnosis of a clear cell neoplasm in a postmenopausal woman, particularly with systemic symptoms suggestive of a paraneoplastic syndrome.