# Radical nephrectomy for a giant chromophobe renal cell carcinoma diagnosed > 17 years previously: a case report and literature review

## TL;DR

A 59-year-old woman had a delayed radical nephrectomy for a large chromophobe renal cell carcinoma diagnosed over 17 years earlier.

## Contribution

This case highlights the long-term management and surgical challenges of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

## Key findings

- The patient survived with localized disease despite refusing surgery initially.
- Radical nephrectomy was successfully performed after a long delay.
- The case emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring for renal cell carcinoma.

## Abstract

Early diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma relies on imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Since surgery is associated with a favorable prognosis, the standard treatment for clinically limited renal cell carcinoma remains surgical resection. Among asymptomatic patients with localized renal cell carcinoma, a small number refuse surgical treatment and survive. We report a case involving a 59-year-old female who underwent a difficult radical nephrectomy 17 years after being diagnosed with malignant tumors due to primary renal cell carcinoma.