Inappropriate Renin Secretion by a Tumor

 

Criteria for its diagnosis (Gaudemar et al):

(1) elevated blood renin (may be active renin or inactive prorenin)

(2) presence of tumor that produces renin (as demonstrated by chemical analysis, immunoperoxidase staining or mRNA)

(3) absence of an alternative explanation for the elevated renin

(4) reduction in blood renin levels following resection of the tumor

(5) reappearance of the elevated renin levels if the tumor recurs

 

A tumor that secretes active renin is associated with:

(1) severe hypertension

(2) hypokalemia

(3) metabolic alkalosis

(3) elevated serum and urinary aldosterone

 

Tumors that may produce renin include:

(1) juxtaglomerular cell tumors (primary reninism)

(2) nephroblastoma

(3) renal cell carcinoma

(4) lung carcinoma

(5) ovarian or fallopian tube adenocarcinoma

(6) leiomyosarcoma

(7) hemangiopericytoma

(8) alveolar sarcoma

(9) small bowel adenocarcinoma