[A case of renal cell carcinoma in tuberous sclerosis followed by basic fetoprotein--a new carcinoembryonic protein].

There have been very few reports on renal malignancies in tuberous sclerosis and only 9 cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. A second case of renal cell carcinoma in tuberous sclerosis in Japan is reported. The present case is a 29-year-old male who visited our clinic with the chief complaint of right flank mass. The excretory urogram, and renal selective angiography suggested right benign renal tumor, possibly angiomyolipoma. But surgical exploration was performed because of the possibility of renal malignancy. The histological findings revealed renal cell carcinoma. At 18 months after operation, the patient died of multiple visceral metastasis, i.e., to lungs, left kidney and liver. In this case basic fetoprotein - a new carcinoembryonic protein - was measured and its level elevated gradually as the disease progressed. Judging from the measurement of basic fetoprotein in this patient it may be an efficient new tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma.