Bellini duct carcinoma

Bellini duct carcinoma (also known as collecting duct carcinoma) is a rare type of renal cell carcinoma that originates from the collecting ducts of the kidney. This type of cancer is named after the Italian anatomist Lorenzo Bellini, who first described the collecting ducts in the 17th century.

Epidemiology

Bellini duct carcinoma is a rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all kidney cancers. It is more common in males and typically presents in the fifth to seventh decades of life.

Pathophysiology

Bellini duct carcinoma arises from the principal cells of the collecting ducts in the kidney. These cells are responsible for the final concentration of urine. The exact cause of Bellini duct carcinoma is unknown, but it is thought to involve genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with Bellini duct carcinoma often present with hematuria (blood in the urine), flank pain, and a palpable abdominal mass. However, these symptoms are not specific to Bellini duct carcinoma and can occur with other types of kidney cancer.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Bellini duct carcinoma is typically made through imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), followed by a biopsy of the kidney mass. The histological features of Bellini duct carcinoma are distinct and include a tubulocystic pattern, high-grade nuclear atypia, and desmoplastic stroma.

Treatment

The primary treatment for Bellini duct carcinoma is surgical removal of the kidney (nephrectomy). Because this type of cancer is often aggressive and has a high rate of metastasis, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be used.

Prognosis

The prognosis for Bellini duct carcinoma is generally poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50%. Factors that can affect prognosis include the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, the patient's overall health, and the response to treatment.

See Also

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Kidney cancer
• Lorenzo Bellini

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