Korean Journal of Urological Oncology  2015;13(3):134-137

Leukemoid Reaction, a Rare Paraneoplastic Syndrome in Urothelial Cell Carcinoma: Is It an Indicator of a Poor Prognosis?.

Ho Seok CHUNG 1 ; Bo Sung SHIN ; Ho Song YU ; Eu Chang HWANG ; Sun Ouck KIM ; Sung Il JUNG ; Taek Won KANG ; Dong Deuk KWON ; Kwangsung PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

Urothelial cell carcinoma; Leukemoid reaction; Prognosis; Chemotherapy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

A leukemoid reaction is usually associated with malignancies of the lung, stomach, and thyroid. In contrast, urothelial cell carcinoma is rarely associated with leukemoid reactions, with few cases reported over the past 30 years. Here, we describe a patient with urothelial cell carcinoma who exhibited a leukemoid reaction. The patient had an elevated white blood cell count and experienced a rapid and aggressive clinical course, terminating in death. For urothelial cell carcinoma patients exhibiting a leukemoid reaction, removal of the inciting tumor is the definitive treatment. However, considering the aggressive nature of these tumors, if the patient is unsuitable for radical surgical management, palliative chemotherapy should be considered.