To report a rare case of bladder metastasis from gastric cancer presenting as acute post-renal obstruction during immunotherapy.
Approach:
Case Presentation: A 35-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer developed acute kidney injury and obstructive uropathy after responding to immunotherapy.
Diagnostic Procedures: Cystoscopy and bladder biopsy confirmed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell features.
Interventions: Bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy was performed after failed ureteral stent placement, leading to partial recovery of renal function.
Key Findings:
Bladder metastasis from gastric cancer is extremely rare and can be misdiagnosed during immunotherapy.
Routine urinalysis may not reveal abnormalities despite significant urinary tract issues.
Early cystoscopy and targeted biopsy are crucial for distinguishing between immunotherapy-related toxicity and metastatic disease.
Interpretation:
This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges in patients receiving immunotherapy who present with new urinary symptoms.
Limitations:
The rarity of bladder metastasis from gastric cancer limits generalizability.
The case study design does not allow for broader conclusions about treatment protocols.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the importance of vigilance in diagnosing urinary symptoms in patients undergoing immunotherapy for gastric cancer.
Harold Burstein, MD, PhD, and Ana C. Garrido-Castro, MD discuss results from the Saci-IO HR+ trial, which were presented at the 2026 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress.