Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma: clinicopathological features of 50 cases.

PURPOSE

We review the clinicopathological features of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases were identified by reviewing the histology of all renal neoplasms resected between 1977 and 1990. Clinical data were obtained by chart review.

RESULTS

Of 50 cases a majority (53%) were discovered incidentally and most (86%) were stage I. Typical pathological findings included the presence of 2 cell types (pale and eosinophilic), reactivity for Hale's colloidal iron, ultrastructural cytoplasmic vesicles and deoxyribonucleic acid aneuploidy. At last followup 47 patients (94%) were tumor-free or dead of unrelated causes. Survival was similar in patients with clear cell carcinoma of similar grade and stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Chromophobe cell carcinoma is a morphologically distinctive neoplasm with a favorable prognosis. Distinction from renal oncocytoma is important.