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Algorithm-Based Approach to the Histological Routine Diagnosis of Renal Oncocytic Tumors in Core Biopsy Specimens

  • Kidney Diseases (G Ciancio, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

A growing number of tumor entities with badly defined limits are enlarging in the last years the family of oncocytic tumors in the kidney.

Recent Findings

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) and renal oncocytoma (RO) are classically well-known tumors, but the borderland between them, and their precise connection, remains a matter of debate. Aside from that, other emerging and provisional entities, like eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma (ESC RCC), eosinophilic vacuolated tumor (EVT), low-grade oncocytic tumor (LOT), and papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity (PRRP), have been recently described. This spectrum of tumors remains a diagnostic challenge in renal pathology, especially if the specimen obtained is scarce.

Summary

This review focuses on practical diagnostic problems when managing core biopsies and proposes a diagnostic algorithm maximizing the information provided by both morphology and immunohistochemistry. So, a combination of morphologic features on hematoxylin-eosin and six antibodies (CK7, CD117, CK20, CD10, GATA-3, and cathepsin K) is advised to be used in a stepwise fashion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, 10154, Turin, Italy

    Claudia Manini

  2. Department of Sciences of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10124, Turin, Italy

    Claudia Manini

  3. Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, 48903, Barakaldo, Spain

    Igone Imaz & Aitor Fernández de Larrinoa

  4. Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza de Cruces s/n, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain

    José I. López

Authors
  1. Claudia Manini
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  2. Igone Imaz
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  4. José I. López
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Contributions

CM, II, AFL, and JIL conceived, organized, and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to José I. López.

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Manini, C., Imaz, I., de Larrinoa, A.F. et al. Algorithm-Based Approach to the Histological Routine Diagnosis of Renal Oncocytic Tumors in Core Biopsy Specimens. Curr Urol Rep 23, 327–333 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01114-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01114-9

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