Carcinoma of the collecting ducts of Bellini of the kidney: adjuvant chemotherapy followed by multikinase inhibition with sunitinib.

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma of the collecting ducts (CDC) of Bellini of the kidney is very rare but is among the most aggressive urologic entities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Radical nephrectomy revealed CDC in stage pT3a pN2 M0 G3 in 2 male patients. Four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine were given.

RESULTS

Subsequent restaging revealed local recurrence and lymph node metastases. Both patients were operated on again, and metastatic CDC was found. Second-line therapy with sunitinib was administered. After 2 cycles, multiple liver, lung, and bone metastases and mediastinal lymphopathy occurred. Eight weeks later, the patients died, with a survival of 8 months from initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Nephrectomy, adjuvant gemcitabine/cisplatin, and sunitinib therapy did not alter the course of disease in these patients. Gross resection of disease was rapidly followed by local recurrence and, subsequently, widespread dissemination of disease. Clinical trial investigation is urgently needed because of the aggressive and refractory nature of CDC.