Intractable Cough Associated With Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to cause abdominal pain, hematuria, flank pain, fevers, night sweats, and weight loss, but its association with paraneoplastic syndromes such as intractable cough is rare. Here, we present the case of an 86-year-old female who presented with a persistent dry cough for two months. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast revealed large left renal mass consistent with renal cell carcinoma spreading through Gerota’s fascia and metastatic to regional lymph nodes. Biopsy of the mass tested positive for renal cell carcinoma markers. Ultimately, the patient was deemed a nonsurgical candidate and treated with immunotherapy. In this case study, we discuss the rare but important clinical findings leading to the possible diagnosis of paraneoplastic cough secondary to RCC.