Renal oncocytosis presenting in childhood: a case report

Int J Surg Pathol. 2003 Oct;11(4):325-9. doi: 10.1177/106689690301100415.

Abstract

Renal oncocytosis is a rare condition in which a spectrum of oncocytic lesions, including oncocytomas, diffusely involve the kidney. Few cases have been reported and all were in adult patients. We report here such a case in a 12-year-old girl. In addition to the unusual age at presentation, this case is remarkable for its heterogeneous tumor morphology, with some areas containing chromophobe carcinoma-like cells. Electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Hale's colloidal iron staining, and cytogenetics were performed to further evaluate the different morphologic areas. Our results suggest that the cells in the chromophobe carcinoma-like areas do not fulfill all the diagnostic criteria of chromophobe carcinoma. We caution pathologists in making a malignant diagnosis in such cases, especially in younger patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / pathology*
  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / physiopathology
  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / ultrastructure
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron