A Case Report of Carcinoid Tumor of the Kidney
Carcinoid tumors are low grade malignant neoplasms which classically occur in the
gastrointestinal tract and in the lungs. This is explained by the presence of neuroendocrine
cells in these organs. The kidney is an extremely rare localization for this tumor as there are
no neuroendocrine cells in normal renal parenchyma. Thus, a very few reported cases of this
disease can be found in the literature. We report another case of primary carcinoid tumor of the
kidney in a 60 year old Moroccan woman who complained of an intermittent left flank pain.
Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan objectified a renal mass, highly suspicious of
malignancy. Histological examination of the specimen after nephrectomy confirmed a renal
carcinoid tumor. This case presentation seeks to add another report with the view of enriching
the existing literature. Through this case report we will present our clinical workup and surgical
intervention of this rare urological neoplasm.
Primary carcinoid tumors of the kidney are extremely rare, with less than 100 cases being
documented in world literature. Their pathogenesis is uncertain because neuroendocrine cells
are not found in normal renal parenchyma, the renal pelvis, and the ureter. Carcinoid tumors are
low-grade, malignant neoplasms that arise in organs containing neuroendocrine cells such as
the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. The purpose of this article is to present our clinical workup
and surgical intervention of this rare urological neoplasm.
Nephrol Open J. 2017; SE(1): S1-S3. doi: 10.17140/NPOJSE-1-101
