Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma: report of two cases

We report two cases of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma. Case 1 was in a 62-year-old man with the chief complaint of hematospermia. Ultrasound incidentally detected a left renal mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a relatively homogeneous, hypovascular tumor of the left kidney. We performed radical nephrectomy after making a clinical diagnosis of possible renal carcinoma. Case 2 was in a 66-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital after a left renal mass was incidentally found by ultrasonography during a health check. We performed laparoscopic radical nephrectomy after making a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma by CT and MRI. Both of the tumors were shown to be chromophobe cell carcinoma by microscopic examination after H & E staining and immunohistochemistry using Hale's colloidal iron stain. Chromophobe cell carcinoma is an uncommon type of renal cell carcinoma and the number of reported cases is limited in Japan. The clinical features and management of this rare tumor are discussed.