Microcytic hypochromic anemia associated with renal cell carcinoma.

Anemia, frequently hypochromic and microcytic, occurs in approximately one third of patients with renal cell carcinoma. We have described a patient with classic iron deficiency anemia and renal cell carcinoma whose blood picture reverted to normal after removal of the tumor. Abundant hemosiderin in the tumor cells is evidence that tumor cells removed iron from the circulation, causing the iron deficiency anemia.