Case Report

Stauffer's syndrome as a prominent manifestation of renal cancer: a case report

Georgios P Kranidiotis, Paraskevi T Voidonikola, Meletios K Dimopoulos and Maria I Anastasiou-Nana^*

• * Corresponding author: Maria I Anastasiou-Nana jnanas@ath.forthnet.gr

Author Affiliations

Department of Clinical Therapeutics, University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Alexandra" Hospital, Athens, Greece

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:49 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-49

Published: 13 January 2009

Abstract

Background

Renal cell carcinoma is associated with a wide spectrum of para-neoplastic syndromes, which may be precursors of primary or recurrent disease. Non-metastatic hepatic dysfunction in patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma is known as Stauffer's syndrome. It is associated with the production of cytokines by the tumour, and several biochemical abnormalities, including elevated serum alkaline phosphatase.

Case presentation

We describe a 36-year-old woman presenting with various non-specific, systemic disease manifestations, and elevated liver enzymes due to cholestasis as the main laboratory abnormality. Imaging studies showed a solid mass in the left kidney, which, after surgical excision, was identified as renal cell carcinoma. No metastasis was found.

Conclusion

Stauffer syndrome may precede other manifestations of renal cell carcinoma. In case of unexplained abnormal liver function, particularly in presence of systemic symptoms, underlying renal cell carcinoma should be excluded by focused investigations.