Primary renal lymphoma: an unusual finding following radical nephrectomy

Abstract

Secondary kidney involvement by disseminated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is quite common and is estimated to approach 30 - 60% in NHL patients. However, primary renal lymphoma is exceedingly rare and estimated to make up less than 1% of all kidney masses. We report a case of primary renal NHL presenting with profound hypercalcemia and renal failure recalcitrant to medical management, ultimately treated with urgent radical nephrectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of primary renal lymphoma presenting in this acute fashion.