Chromophobe renal carcinoma

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that originates from the kidney's convoluted tubule. It is a rare subtype of RCC, accounting for approximately 5% of all RCC cases.

Epidemiology

ChRCC is more common in women than in men, and typically presents in the sixth decade of life. The incidence of ChRCC is not influenced by smoking, unlike other types of RCC.

Pathology

ChRCC is characterized by large, pale cells with prominent cell membranes. The cells are often arranged in solid sheets, but can also form acinar or tubular structures. The nucleus is usually small and hyperchromatic, and mitotic figures are rare.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with ChRCC often present with hematuria, flank pain, and a palpable abdominal mass. However, many cases are discovered incidentally during imaging studies for unrelated conditions.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of ChRCC is typically made by biopsy of the renal mass. Immunohistochemistry can be used to confirm the diagnosis, with ChRCC cells typically showing positivity for cytokeratin 7 and CD117, and negativity for CD10 and vimentin.

Treatment

The primary treatment for ChRCC is surgical resection of the renal mass. In cases where surgery is not possible, targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be used.

Prognosis

The prognosis for ChRCC is generally favorable, with a 5-year survival rate of over 90%. However, the prognosis can be worse in cases with sarcomatoid differentiation or metastasis.

See Also

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Kidney cancer
• Oncology