ecancermedicalscience

Case Report

Encountering the unicorn – abscopal effect after fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastasis in renal cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

12 Aug 2025
Nishana Abbas, Durgapoorna Menon

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignancy with a diverse clinical presentation, often characterised by its resistance to conventional therapies. We present the case of a 53-year-old Indian male diagnosed with ccRCC, pT3aN0M1exhibiting lymphovascular invasion and non-contiguous tumour deposits in the left adrenal gland. Following an initial course of Pazopanib and subsequent Everolimus, the disease progressed. Notably, just 3 months after receiving fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSR) for a cerebellar metastasis, spontaneous regression was observed at a distant skeletal site. This case highlights the significance of considering FSR as a therapeutic option for selected patients with ccRCC, as well as the potential role of an abscopal effect to impact the course of this aggressive malignancy.

Related Articles

Tooba Ali, Laraib Khan, Bilal Mazhar Qureshi, Asim Hafiz, Maria Tariq, Khurram Minhas, Nasir Ali, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi
Solomon Kibudde, Awusi Kavuma, Bonny Abal, Moses Fredrick Katumba, Cissy Bangidde Namutale, Daniel Kanyike, Israel Luutu
Beatrice P Mushi, Summaiya Haddadi, Alita Mrema, Jerry Ndumbalo, Nanzoke Mvungi, Msiba Selekwa, Julius Mwaiselage, Larry Akoko, Yona Ringo, Rohan Luhar, Rebecca DeBoer, Katherine Van Loon, Elia Mmbaga, Geoffrey C Buckle
Ally H Mwanga, Erick M Mbuguje, Jeanine Justiniano, Balowa Musa, Nashivai Kivuyo, Daniel W Kitua, Eva Uiso, Andrew Swallow, Edith Kimambo, Azza Naif, Deogratius B Mwanakulya, Swaleh Pazi, Advera Ngaiza, Seif Wibonela, Behnam Shaygi, Cameron E Gaskill
Tenazoa -Villalobos José Richard, Yan-Quiroz Edgar Fermín, Ordoñez-Chinguel Augusto, Prado-Cucho Sofia Leonor, Villoslada-Terrones Vladimir