Long-Term Outcome of Zero-Ischemia Partial Nephrectomy for the Treatment of Multifocal Renal Cell Carcinoma in Renal Transplant Allograft: A Case Report

Multifocal synchronous renal cell carcinoma in the functioning allograft is a rare disease; there is no consensus regarding its treatment, and few cases have been reported. In isolated masses, some authorities advocate graft nephrectomy, and some recommend partial nephrectomy. To our knowledge, we describe the first experience of nephron-sparing surgery in multifocal synchronous renal cell carcinoma in an allograft with its long-term outcome. A 42-year-old male patient with a history of living related-donor kidney transplant from his brother (18 years previously) presented with a history of gross hematuria over the past few months. Imaging studies revealed a 5.5-cm exophytic cystic mass lesion in lower pole and an 11-mm solid mass in the upper pole of the renal allograft. Both graft nephrectomy and nephronsparing surgery were offered to him. After the patient provided written informed consent, zero-ischemia partial nephrectomy of lower pole and enucleation of upper pole mass were performed. Pathology reports for both lesions indicated clear cell carcinoma, and margins were free of tumor. Twelve months after surgery, the patient was free of tumor, and his creatinine level was 1.6 mg/dL. At 29 months after surgery, his creatinine level was 2.4 mg/dL, and imaging revealed a tumor-free allograft. Nephron-sparing surgery in multifocal renal cell carcinoma in the functioning renal allograft was feasible in our patient, and the long-term outcome was satisfactory. This surgical option provided dialysis-free and long-term tumor-free survival to the patient.