Korean Journal of Nephrology  1998;17(6):978-982

A Case of Membranous Nephropathy Improved by Removal of Early Gastric Cancer.

Chang Keun WOO ; Kyung Hee SUH ; Kyung Soon SHIN ; Duk Hyun LEE ; Dong Yeup LEE ; Suk Joon JE ; Joong Ha HWANG ; Choong Ki LEE ; Ik Soo KIM ; Yong Jin KIM

Keywords

Membranous nephropathy; Early gastric cancer; Proteinuria; Immune complex

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

The nephrotic syndrome in association with extrarenal malignancy is not an uncommon event. The membranous nephropathy is most frequently associated with various carcinomas of the lung, breast, stomach and colon. Though the exact causal relationship has not been determined completely, deposition of the immune complexes composed of antitumor antibody and tumor antigens in the subepithelium is most favorably accepted. We experienced a patient with previously diagnosed membranous nephropathy and subsequently demonstrated early gastric cancer during patient follow-up. After surgical resection proteinuria improved significantly. All physicians are strongly recommended to examine thoroughly and search carefully for possibility of concomitant occult malignancy when an aged patient, especially over 40 years old, is diagnosed as a nephrotic syndrome.