Nasal congestion and nasal obstruction: An unusual presentation of renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell cancer (RCC) is among the 10 most common cancers affecting both genders in the United States. Advanced RCC often remains clinically silent for much of its natural history. This can make the diagnosis challenging, especially when presenting symptoms arise from a metastasis. Sinonasal malignancies are rare, accounting for <1% of all malignant tumors and 3% of malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. RCC is the most common infraclavicular malignant primary tumor that metastasizes to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus, followed by breast and lung. We describe a case of a 59 year-old male presenting with nasal congestion and allergy-like symptoms for 6 months duration. CT examination revealed a large hyper-vascular mass within the right maxillary and ethmoid sinuses and nasal cavity. Primary RCC was recognized only after surgical removal of sinonasal mass. We discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, imaging, pathology, and treatment for sinonasal RCC.