Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis: Atypical Presentation of a Rare Malignancy

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis is exceedingly rare and is associated with advanced stage at diagnosis and a poor prognosis. Diagnosis is often difficult due to vague presenting symptoms and nonspecific radiologic findings. The mainstay of treatment is nephrectomy, with cisplatin based chemotherapy and palliative radiation reserved for metastatic disease. We report a SCC of the renal pelvis in a 72 year-old female who presented with abdominal pain. To date, this is the largest SCC originating from the renal pelvis reported in the literature, made even more exceptional by the lack of antecedent risk factors.