Chromophobe Cell Renal Carcinoma: Clinicopathological Features of 50 Cases

Abstract

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.