Malignant pigmented clear cell epithelioid tumor of the kidney: clear cell ("sugar") tumor versus malignant melanoma

A 73-year-old woman presented with an hemorrhagic kidney tumor initially interpreted as a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A retroperitoneal recurrence infiltrating the duodenal wall was made up of clear cells, some of which contained Fontana-Masson positive pigment, immunopositive for HMB-45, S-100 protein, actin, and vimentin. The same immunohistochemical profile was retrospectively reproduced in the kidney tumor, where melanosomes were also found ultrastructurally. Lipomatous differentiation was not observed. There was no history of malignant melanoma (MM), or stigmata of tuberous sclerosis. The patient died of disease 5 years after the initial diagnosis. This neoplasm can be considered as a malignant, pigmented, clear-cell epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma, or "sugar" tumor of the kidney, with the peculiarity of having a previously unreported component of pigmented cells visible on light microscopy. This finding raises the possibility that the exceptional cases of MM reported in renal parenchyma may be pigmented variants of epithelioid angiomyolipoma rather than true MM.     

C-kit expression in renal oncocytomas and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas

C- kit encodes the membrane-bound tyrosine kinase KIT, whose expression has been identified in several types of human neoplasms. Recently, KIT has been reported to be a marker for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal angiomyolipoma. However, expression of this molecule has not been adequately studied in other renal tumors, particularly oncocytoma, which may morphologically resemble chromophobe RCC. In this study, we analyzed c- kit messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in 17 chromophobe RCCs and 20 renal oncocytomas obtained from complementary DNA (cDNA) microarrays. Furthermore, comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of KIT protein using a monoclonal antibody was performed in 226 renal tumors including chromophobe RCC (n=40), oncocytoma (n=41), clear-cell RCC (n=40), renal angiomyolipoma (n=29), and papillary RCC (n=21) on tissue microarrays (TMAs) and was compared with immunostaining results from 25 chromophobe RCCs and 30 oncocytomas using standard sections. The staining intensity was semiquantitatively graded on a 3-tier scoring system. All chromophobe RCCs and oncocytomas showed significant overexpression of c- kit mRNA. The average increase of mRNA compared with normal kidney tissue was 7.4-fold for chromophobe RCCs and 7.4-fold for oncocytomas. Immunohistochemical expression of KIT was found in most chromophobe RCCs (95% in TMAs and 96% in conventional sections) and oncocytomas (88% in TMAs and 100% in conventional sections) but was infrequently observed in renal angiomyolipomas (17%), papillary RCCs (5%), and clear-cell RCCs (3%). Furthermore, the average KIT immunoreactivity in TMAs was stronger in chromophobe RCC (1.93) and oncocytoma (2.07) than in other subtypes of renal tumors tested, including angiomyolipomas (0.17), papillary RCCs (0.05), and clear-cell RCCs (0.03). In conclusion, we found a significant elevation of c- kit mRNA by cDNA expression microarrays and overexpression of KIT protein by immunohistochemistry not only in chromophobe RCCs but also in oncocytomas. In contrast, immunohistochemical expression of KIT was not detected in most other types of renal cell tumors evaluated. The differential expression of c- kit in these renal tumors may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications.     

C-Kit-positive metastatic malignant pigmented clear-cell epithelioid tumor arising from the kidney in a child without tuberous sclerosis

We report the first pediatric case of malignant pigmented epithelioid clear-cell tumor arising from kidney; the lesion occurred in a 12-year-old girl without tuberous sclerosis. The tumor was widely metastatic to the retroperitoneum and chest, and the patient died of the disease 9 months after diagnosis, despite active chemotherapy. Pigmented epithelioid clear-cell tumor of the kidney is a rare variant of epithelioid angiomyolipoma and a member of the family of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas). The tumor demonstrated overlapping features between clear-cell sugar tumor and epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma. Tumor cells were positive for HMB-45 expression, negative for any evidence of muscular differentiation, and contained melanin pigment and premelanosomes in the cytoplasm. Diffuse C-Kit (CD117) positivity was identified throughout the tumor. This is the first report of C-Kit–positive malignant PEComas.     

Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma with malignant features: Histological evaluation and novel immunohistochemical findings

Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a potentially malignant tumor type whose characteristics and biomarkers predictive of malignant behavior have not been elucidated. Here, we report three cases of renal EAML with malignant features but without histories of tuberous sclerosis complex. Case 1 involved a 29‐year‐old man with a 12‐cm solid mass in the right kidney who underwent radical right nephrectomy. Case 2 involved a 22‐year‐old woman with a retroperitoneal mass who underwent radical right nephrectomy and retroperitoneal tumorectomy. Local recurrence was detected 7 years post‐surgery. Case 3 involved a 23‐year‐old man with a 14‐cm solid mass in the left kidney who underwent radical left nephrectomy. Microscopically, the tumors in all cases demonstrated proliferation of epithelioid cells with atypia, mitotic activity, necrosis, hemorrhage, and vascular invasion. Epithelioid cells in all cases were immunohistochemically positive for melanocytic and myoid markers and weakly positive for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin. Immunohistochemistry revealed activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Here, we report the morphological and immunohistochemical features of clinically or histologically malignant renal EAML.     

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of kidney with atypical nuclear features and intranuclear inclusions on cytology

Described herein are the cytological findings of epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) of the kidney with atypical nuclear features mistaken for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a 61‐year‐old male patient. Aspirates from this large renal mass were cellular and showed epithelioid cell clusters with focally crowded nuclei showing moderate anisonucleosis, small nucleoli, and prominent eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions. Failure to recognize the scanty adipose tissue component and preponderance of epithelioid cells with nuclear pleomorphism lead to a diagnosis of RCC on cytology. On histology, the tumor was essentially composed of epithelioid and spindle cells that showed the typical immunoprofile of an angiomyolipoma and only occasional foci of typical AML were seen. The hilar lymph node was involved in contiguity. However, in view of lack of obvious features of malignancy, the tumor was labeled as EAML with atypical features. Immunocytochemistry on the destained cytology aspirates revealed strong smooth muscle actin staining of all cells. To conclude, EAML can mimic a RCC. In such instances, lack of arborizing vasculature, absence of cytoplasmic fatty vacoulation, crowded nuclei with intranuclear inclusions, and lack of prominent nucleoli along with typical immunophenotype of EAML may assist in the cytology diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011;39:278–282. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Concurrent angiomyolipoma and two oncocytomas in the same kidney

We report on a rare case of synchronous angiomyolipoma (AML) and 2 oncocytomas (OCs) in the same kidney of a 73-year-old woman. During the course of a follow-up for a long-standing staghorn calculus in the left kidney, a 4-cm right suprarenal mass and a small solid nodule adjacent to a cyst in the midportion of the right kidney were radiographically discovered. A radical nephrectomy was performed. The suprarenal tumor was found to be an AML, and the small nodule was an OC (1.5 cm). An additional OC (0.8 cm) elsewhere in the right kidney was also identified. The coexistence of AML and other renal tumors is uncommon. Among reported cases, conventional renal cell carcinoma, possibly reflecting its higher incidence, has been the most common concurrent tumor with AML. Although only rare cases of simultaneous AML and OC have been reported in the literature, it appears that the proportion of OC among concurrent renal tumors with AML is higher than expected based on its frequency among all surgically resected renal neoplasms. Whether there is a pathogenetic association between AML and OC needs to be further investigated.     

A huge malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) of the uterine cervix and vagina

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are a family of rare mesenchymal neoplasms, including angiomyolipoma, clear-cell “sugar” tumor of the lung and extrapulmonary sites, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, clear-cell myomelanocytic tumor of the falciform ligament/ligamentum teres, and clear-cell tumors at various other anatomic sites.     

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma,eosinophilic variant with papillary growth: a case report

We report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with pathologically diagnosed chromophobe renal cell carcinoma composed of eosinophilic cells with partial papillary growth. The patient had a 2.5 cm diameter renal mass incidentally detected by abdominal ultrasound examination. Laparoscopic left partial nephrectomy was performed under a diagnosis of left renal tumor. Histopathology demonstrated uniform eosinophilic cuboidal cells growing with a partially papillary pattern: differential diagnosis of oncocytoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma, or oncocytic papillary renal cell carcinoma was necessary. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-monoclonal antibody 31 and -CD82 antibody, and choroid iron staining, were positive. Cytogenetic analysis by comparative genomic hybridization showed gains of chromosomes 1p, 9q, 19q, 20, and 21q, and losses of chromosomes 1p and q, 2q, 6q and 7q, leading to diagnosis of chromophobe RCC. We describe differential diagnosis for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, eosinophilic variant, growing in a papillary fashion in the kidney.     

Malignant epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney in a patient with tuberous sclerosis: an autopsy case report with p53 gene mutation analysis

We report an autopsy case of malignant epithelioid angiomyolipoma in a 36-year-old male tuberous sclerosis patient. He had been diagnosed to have a bilateral renal tumor 20 years previously. The left kidney had been surgically resected at the age of 34, and the left renal tumor was pathologically diagnosed as classic angiomyolipoma and epithelioid angiomyolipoma. He suddenly died of cardiac arrest, and at autopsy the right kidney weighed 7120 g. The tumor presented with massive necrosis invading the inferior vena cava, but was not hemorrhagic. Microscopic examination revealed tumor cells varying in size with a predominantly solid proliferation pattern and marked atypical large cells with vesicular nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were often encountered, and atypical forms were also present. Metastatic lesions were identified in the right lung, liver, diaphragm, and mesentery. Immunohistochemical examination showed epithelioid angiomyolipoma cells that were focally reactive for HMB-45 and showed diffuse positive staining for Melan-A. No mutation was detected in the p53 gene by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis despite diffuse immunoreactivity for p53. This case was proven to be malignant because of the occurrence of distant metastases, and showed that p53 mutations are not always associated with malignant transformation in epithelioid angiomyolipoma.     

Expression of kidney-specific cadherin in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and renal oncocytoma

Kidney-specific cadherin (Ksp-cad) recently was proposed to differentiate chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from oncocytoma based on a finding of Ksp-cad expression in 97% of chromophobe RCCs but only 3% of oncocytomas. However, another study showed no difference in Ksp-cad immunoreactivity between these 2 tumors. We attempted to evaluate Ksp-cad expression in renal tumors using expression microarrays and immunohistochemical analysis. Ksp-cad messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were examined in 158 renal tumors, including 15 chromophobe RCCs and 15 oncocytomas. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on tissue microarrays containing 125 renal tumors, including 36 chromophobe RCCs and 41 oncocytomas. Ksp-cad mRNA compared with normal kidney tissue was 89% in chromophobe RCC and 64% in oncocytoma. Furthermore, 31 of 36 chromophobe RCCs and 31 of 41 oncocytomas showed Ksp-cad immunoreactivity. Ksp-cad was present in chromophobe RCCs and oncocytomas at mRNA and protein levels, providing strong evidence that Ksp-cad immunohistochemical analysis cannot be used in differentiating these tumors.     

Renal cell carcinoma arising in a long pre-existing angiomyolipoma

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a mixed mesenchymal tumor belonging to the family of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors. Concurrent development of AML and adult renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is very rare. Herein is presented a unique case in which RCC arose within a previously detected AML tumor mass. A 40-year-old woman had been diagnosed with AML of the right kidney. Fifteen years later, during a regular radiographic examination, a new lesion was detected at the lower pole of the right kidney adjacent to the previously described AML. Because RCC was clinically suspected, the patient underwent right nephrectomy. Macroscopically, the tumor had a yellowish, transparent, fatty area and an opaque yellowish area with cystic features. Microscopically, the former tumor, consisting of an admixture of mature adipose tissue with smooth muscle and vascular tissue, was diagnosed as AML. The latter tumor was diagnosed as RCC (clear cell type). RCC was not completely enclosed within the AML, but overlapped it. No fibrous capsule was found between these tumors. Although this situation is very rare, from a clinical and pathological point of view it is important to consider the possibility that RCC might arise within AML. The relationship between the two lesions is discussed with a review of the literature.     

肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤肺转移1例报告并文献复习

目的：探讨肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤病理特点及生物学行为。方法：对1例低热患者行肺肿块穿刺活检,然后行HE染色和免疫组织化学染色。复习肾肿瘤病理切片并进行文献复习。结果：穿刺活检病理分析：密集分布的上皮样细胞,细胞体积大,呈圆形、多边形;异型明显;无血管平滑肌脂肪瘤结构;免疫组织化学：人黑色素瘤蛋白阳性,平滑肌肌动蛋白阳性,上皮膜抗原阴性。病理诊断：左肺上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤;考虑来源于肾。结论：上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤是一种有恶性潜能的间叶性肿瘤,可以发生远处转移。     

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney: a case report

Renal angiomyolipoma is a distinctive benign neoplasm that occurs either sporadically or in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. A 45-year-old woman was admitted with history offlank pain and vomiting. There were no signs suggestive of tuberous sclerosis either in the patient or her family. At operation, she had a left renal mass with nephrolithiasis and hydronephrosis. Histopathology revealed epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the left kidney with chronic pyelonephritis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of angiomyolipoma. This case is presented to highlight the epithelioid variant of angiomyolipoma which may behave in an aggressive manner.     

Unsuspected metastatic renal cell carcinoma with initial presentation as solitary soft tissue lesion: a case report

A 42 year old male presented with painless soft tissue mass 8x7x6.5 cm in right scapular region for 2 months. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed a malignant clear cell tumour. Ultrasonography (USG) abdomen revealed a heterogeneous mass m 8.6x7x8.4 at the lower pole of left kidney. USG guided FNAC from left kidney mass showed cytomorphology consistent with RCC.     

肾脏上皮样色素性透明细胞肿瘤病理形态观察

目的 探讨上皮样色素性透明细胞肾脏肿瘤形态学特点,加强对该肿瘤的认识,减少误诊.方法 回顾性分析2000余例肾脏肿瘤,符合上皮样色素性透明细胞肿瘤3例,通过HE、免疫组织化学EnVision法观察3例肿瘤形态学特点,对其中1例行超微结构观察,同时复习相关文献.结果 女性2例,男性1例,2例形态学表现为透明细胞癌样,1例见透明细胞和嗜酸性细胞构成乳头结构.免疫组织化学上皮标记及S-100蛋白均为阴性,HMB45均为阳性,2例Melan A阳性.电镜末见黑色素小体结构.结论 色素性透明细胞上皮样肿瘤是非常罕见的肾脏肿瘤,病理学特征兼有肾细胞癌、上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤与黑色素瘤等肿瘤特征,免疫组织化学有利于鉴别诊断.其可能是上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤的一种亚型.     

Tumors of the kidneys: new entities

Since 1998 new entities have surfaced in renal tumor classification and have been included in the WHO 2004 classification. In this article, we will discuss the following entities: multilocular clear cell renal carcinoma, Xp11 translocation carcinoma, low grade mucinous tubular carcinoma, epithelioid angiomyolipoma, benign mixed epithelial and stromal tumor. We will investigate new concepts of hybrid oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and the syndrome of Birt-Hogg-Dube which is associated to kidney tumors. At least, we will touch on new elements in the Bellini carcinoma definition.     

Hepatic angiomyolipoma. A case report with review of the literature

Hepatic angiomyolipoma in a 59-year-old woman is reported. The tumor was located at the lower edge of the left lobe of the liver, measured 3 x 2 x 2 cm, and appeared solid. Histologically, it consisted of abundant blood vessels of varying caliber, mature fat cells, and round, spindle-shaped or epithelioid interstitial cells. The latter were considered to be of smooth muscle origin, because myofilamentous structures were demonstrated ultrastructurally in the cytoplasm and because they were positive for desmin by the PAP method. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of angiomyolipoma was confirmed. A review of the literature revealed only 15 cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma. From a clinicopathological viewpoint, a comparison was made between hepatic angiomyolipoma and its more frequent renal counterpart. The hepatic tumor is considered to be a kind of hamartoma.     

肾脏特异性钙黏蛋白在肾上皮性肿瘤的表达及其临床病理意义

目的探讨肾脏特异性钙黏蛋白（Ksp—cadherin）的新抗体在肾细胞癌和肾嗜酸细胞腺瘤中的表达意义。方法收集166例肾脏肿瘤标本,其中肾原发性透明细胞癌120例、乳头状肾细胞癌20例（I型乳头状肾细胞癌15例,Ⅱ型乳头状肾细胞癌5例）、嫌色细胞癌18例、嗜酸细胞腺瘤8例。使用Ksp—cadherin、CD10、波形蛋白、上皮细胞膜抗原（EMA）、CK7进行免疫组织化学（EnVision法）染色。结果Ksp-cadherin的表达率分别是透明细胞癌23％（27／120）,乳头状肾细胞癌20％（4／20）,嫌色细胞癌18／18,嗜酸细胞腺瘤6／8。CD10、波形蛋白在透明细胞癌和乳头状肾细胞癌有高表达,CK7主要表达于嫌色细胞癌和乳头状肾细胞癌,EMA在这4种肿瘤均有高表达。此外,CDl0在肾嫌色细胞癌中也有表达,但其表达于胞质,而在其他肿瘤的表达在细胞膜。Ksp—cadherin在肾透明细胞癌的表达程度与其分期分级呈正相关。结论Ksp—cadherin局限表达于远端肾小管及其起源的肾脏肿瘤。在嫌色细胞癌和嗜酸细胞腺瘤中有高度的特异和敏感性,在透明细胞癌中的表达和分期分级有关,在肾脏常见的上皮性肿瘤中具有鉴别诊断和预后价值。