An autopsy report of anemia caused by renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to duodenum

Abstract

An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with anemia. He had undergone right nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 5 years ago. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a protuberance with oozing hemorrhage in the descending part of the duodenum. Visceral angiography identified extravasation from a branch of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). Coil embolization was performed on two branches of the GDA, and progression of anemia slowed down. After 2 months, he died from renal dysfunction and an autopsy was performed. Results showed metastasis from RCC in the descending part of the duodenum, myocardium, pancreas, and both lungs. Duodenal metastasis from RCC is mostly diagnosed in the wake of a bleeding episode, and sometimes presents as a submucosal tumor.