Background:
Stauffer’s syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome typically associated with renal cell
carcinoma (RCC), most often presenting with abnormal liver function tests in the absence of
hepatic metastasis or liver disease. Obstructive jaundice can be associated with infrequent
occasions.
Case Presentation:
A 29-year-old previously healthy female presented with fever and right-sided abdominal pain,
with marked constitutional symptoms. Imaging revealed a large haemorrhagic renal mass
consistent with RCC. Liver function tests showed a cholestatic pattern with elevated bilirubin,
ALP, and GGT, without radiological evidence of biliary obstruction or hepatic metastasis. The
patient developed persistent high-grade fever unresponsive to antibiotics but responded
dramatically to high-dose NSAIDs, suggestive of a paraneoplastic syndrome. Postnephrectomy reversal of hepatic dysfunction confirms the paraneoplastic nature of the
syndrome.
Conclusion:
This case highlights a rare manifestation of RCC mimicking obstructive jaundice. Awareness
of paraneoplastic syndromes like Stauffer’s is of paramount importance in early diagnosis,
avoiding unnecessary hepatobiliary interventions and guiding prompt oncological treatment,
since early nephrectomy can be curative.