Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Comparison of Imaging and Pathologic Findings

Abstract

Multilocular cystic RCC is a rare cystic lesion of the kidney that is low risk to the patient and benign in behavior. It has a variable imaging pattern, the Bosniak category ranging from IIF to IV. As multilocular cystic RCC lesions increase in complexity on images (higher Bosniak category), there is a corresponding increase in the volume of malignant cells lining the tumor and an increase in the presence of vascularized fibrous tissue. Regardless of the imaging appearance, the behavior of these tumors was benign in this study. Clinicians and radiologists should be aware that when this carcinoma is reported to occur, the patient has an excellent prognosis.