Publication
[Weight loss and night sweats with unexpected tumor localization]
Journal Paper/Review - Nov 28, 2007
Oberholzer C, Sawatzki M, Rothermundt Christian
Units
PubMed
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Print
Pages
Brief description/objective
A 52-year-old patient presented himself with weight loss and night sweats. Laboratory analyses revealed a high sedimentation rate, elevated immunoglobulines and anaemia with sludge phenomenon. Differential diagnoses included Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma. Having a risk constellation for HIV infection and just having recovered from oral thrush also made this diagnosis possible. Urinary analysis and chest x-ray were normal; however, CT-scan detected renal cell cancer with pulmonary metastases. Renal cell cancer is heterogeneous in presentation, symptoms are unspecific, therefore they are often discovered late when they have already metastasized. Paraneoplastic syndromes, e.g. hypercalcaemia or hypertension are not infrequent in renal cell cancer.