Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and outcome of multilocular cystic renal cell car-cinoma. Methods The clinic data of 1 case of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma were reviewed with its clinical manifestation, imaging, pathology and therapy in our hospital. The male patient aged 49 was incidentally found to have a right renal tumor. The CT scan showed a multiloeular cystic tumor in the low pole of the right kidney with a clear outline. The thin septa were found in the tumor, which were enhanced in the enhancement CT scan. The enhancement MRI showed the cystic wall was en-hanced. Results The patient received a partial nephrectomy as his treatment. The pathological char-acteristics were as following: the multilocular cystic tumor was about 3 cm×2 cm×2 cm with clear serosity in it. The cystic wall was smooth with the width of 0.1-0.2 cm. Most of the cystic cavities were covered by monostratified or stratified cubic clear cells, and some were covered by squamous epi-thelium or no epithelium at all. The septum was composed of collagen fiber, and clear cells were found in it. The clear cells form small collections but do not form expansile nodules. The final pathological diagnosis was multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma. The follow-up was 20 months, without local re-currence or distant metastasis was found. Conclusions Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma with a good prognosis. MCRCC is an uncommon tumor of the kidney composed of multiple cysts with clear cells in the septa indistinguishable from grade I renal cell carcinoma. Most patients are asymptomatie and the tumors are discovered inciden-tally. The preoperative diagnosis of MCRCC immediately depends on imaging studies. Pathology is the key to diagnosis. Key words: Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma; Clinical research