Ipsilateral right testicular metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in a responder patient to interleukine-2 treatment

Int J Urol. 2007 Mar;14(3):259-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2007.01674.x.

Abstract

We present a case of metastatic spreading to the testicle in a 46-year-old patient with renal cell carcinoma, "clear-cell" type, during interleukin-2 combined subcutaneous plus aerosol treatment. Testicular metastasis occurred while the patient showed a response to the treatment with disappearance of lung lesions and reduction of lymph-nodes lesions. After orchiectomy with spermatic cord resection and disease re-evaluation confirming the previous response, the patient re-started immunotherapy. The contrast between systemic disease response to treatment and disease testicular progression might be explained by a relative insensitivity of the testicle to interleukin-2 immunotherapy as a result of a possible establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We believe that the rarity of this metastatic site and the intriguing possible mechanisms at its base, makes an interesting case for clinicians.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / secondary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Testicular Neoplasms / secondary*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interleukin-2