From the Research
Yes, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with leukocytosis in some patients, as evidenced by the production of cytokines and growth factors by tumor cells, which stimulate white blood cell production in the bone marrow 1. The association between RCC and leukocytosis is considered a paraneoplastic syndrome, characterized by an elevated white blood cell count, which occurs in approximately 20-25% of RCC cases.
- The leukocytosis in RCC patients often occurs without any evidence of infection and may persist until the tumor is removed.
- Clinically, the presence of leukocytosis in RCC patients is generally associated with more advanced disease and may indicate a poorer prognosis, as noted in a review of RCC cases 2. When evaluating a patient with unexplained leukocytosis, especially in the presence of hematuria, flank pain, or an abdominal mass, RCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis, given its relatively high incidence, with an estimated 434,840 incident cases worldwide in 2022 2. After successful treatment of the primary tumor, the leukocytosis typically resolves, and persistent elevation may suggest residual disease or recurrence. The exact mechanisms underlying the development of leukocytosis in RCC patients are complex and involve the production of various cytokines and growth factors, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) 1.
- Recent studies have focused on the development of targeted therapies for RCC, including immunotherapy and molecular agents, which may help improve treatment outcomes for patients with this disease 3, 4. However, the association between RCC and leukocytosis remains an important consideration in the diagnosis and management of this disease.