What is the classic triad and paraneoplastic feature associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC)?

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Multiple Choice

What is the classic triad and paraneoplastic feature associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC)?

In renal cell carcinoma, the classic triad consists of hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable mass (though the mass is often not present in early disease). A hallmark paraneoplastic feature is erythrocytosis caused by ectopic erythropoietin production by the tumor. This combination matches the description of blood in the urine, flank pain, and a palpable mass (rare) along with increased red cell production from ectopic EPO. The other options don’t fit RCC well: urinary symptoms like dysuria, frequency, and urgency point to bladder or lower tract issues; hypophosphatemia is not a typical RCC paraneoplastic effect; neuropathy is not a standard RCC paraneoplastic manifestation; and while hypercalcemia can occur with RCC, it’s not part of the classic triad.

In renal cell carcinoma, the classic triad consists of hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable mass (though the mass is often not present in early disease). A hallmark paraneoplastic feature is erythrocytosis caused by ectopic erythropoietin production by the tumor. This combination matches the description of blood in the urine, flank pain, and a palpable mass (rare) along with increased red cell production from ectopic EPO. The other options don’t fit RCC well: urinary symptoms like dysuria, frequency, and urgency point to bladder or lower tract issues; hypophosphatemia is not a typical RCC paraneoplastic effect; neuropathy is not a standard RCC paraneoplastic manifestation; and while hypercalcemia can occur with RCC, it’s not part of the classic triad.

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