An unusual case of membranous nephropathy associated with an ovarian tumor

Pediatr Nephrol. 2011 Dec;26(12):2249-51. doi: 10.1007/s00467-011-1994-7. Epub 2011 Sep 4.

Abstract

Secondary membranous nephropathy (MN) associated with malignancy is not uncommon in adults, but it is rare in children. We report a 6-year-old girl who developed nephrotic-range proteinuria following diagnosis of a Sertoli-Leydig ovarian tumor. A renal biopsy was performed, which led to the diagnosis of MN. The patient maintained normal renal function and gradually showed improvement in proteinuria over several months without the use of corticosteroids or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Our case highlights the importance of performing screening urinalyses in children with tumors to recognize the presence of clinically significant, but potentially asymptomatic kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Proteinuria / etiology
  • Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor / complications*
  • Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Androblastoma of ovary