Background: Patients with metastatic renal carcinoma frequently have pre-existing renal impairment and not infrequently develop worsening renal function as a complication of their treatment. The presence of pancreatic metastases in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma, often confers a more favourable prognosis and as a consequence this patient group may be exposed to such treatments for more prolonged periods of time. However, the development of renal failure may also be a consequence of the cancer itself rather than its treatment.
Case presentation: We present an 84-year-old patient receiving the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) pazopanib for metastatic renal carcinoma who developed oxalate nephropathy as a consequence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency resulting from pancreatic metastases.
Conclusions: This case demonstrates the importance of investigating unexpected toxicities and highlights the potential consequences of pancreatic insufficiency and its sequelae in patients with pancreatic metastases.
Keywords: Oxalate nephropathy; Pancreatic metastases; Renal cancer; Renal impairment.