Genetics of epithelial tumors of the renal parenchyma in adults and renal cell carcinoma in children.

The classification of renal cell carcinomas has been affected by both the delineation of new histologic subtypes and the understanding that recognized histomorphologic patterns are reflective of specific sets of cytogenetic abnormalities. In fact, standard methods of clinicopathologic study and cytogenetic analysis have been cooperatively contributory in the evolution of current concepts regarding the biologic nature and classification of renal parenchymal epithelial tumors. In this review, the current classification scheme for these tumors is discussed from the perspective of both the defining histologic and cytogenetic features. Limited molecular data are described as well.