Renal cell carcinoma in pregnancy: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma is a potentially fatal tumor that occasionally presents during pregnancy. Based on our experience with three patients and a review of the recent cases in the literature, we believe there has been a change in presentation of this lesion over that described in previous reviews. Two of three women with renal cell carcinoma found during pregnancy had symptoms suggesting recurrent urinary tract infection. The renal tumors were all discovered by ultrasound. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging was used for preoperative, intragestational staging of one patient. Renal cell carcinoma should be considered in women of childbearing age who present with recurrent or refractory urinary tract symptoms, flank pain, or a palpable flank mass. Ultrasound appears to be the imaging procedure of choice for evaluating the urinary system in pregnant women.