Retroperitoneal Malignancy Masquerading as Ureteric Colic

Abstract

This study reviews 6 patients who were referred with severe loin pain radiating to the groin and in whom a presumptive diagnosis of ureteric colic was made. Of these, 3 patients were found to have carcinoma of the pancreas and the remaining 3 had retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. Retroperitoneal malignancies rarely present with loin pain, but this diagnosis should be considered in patients with long-standing loin pain in whom an obvious diagnosis is not apparent.