Cystic Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Cystic Lesion in 27year Old Female

Abstract

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is an uncommon variant of renal cell carcinoma which accounts for 4% to 6% of RCC mainly diagnosed in the advance decades of life.[1] This entity must be identified since it has a much better prognosis than clear cell (conventional) and papillary renal cell carcinomas. The chromophobe renal cell carcinoma should be differentiated from oncocytoma and clear cell carcinoma. We report a case of a 27year-old female who presented with history of right sided flank pain and a palpable tender lump in the right lumbar region since one year. The likelihood of a right renal neoplasm was highlighted on radiography. A right total nephrectomy was done and histopathological diagnosis of cystic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma was given. As the prognosis and therapy procedures vary with different variants, we discuss this case because of its relative rarity of occurrence, difficulties encountered, and differential diagnoses to consider during diagnosis. Early identification and treatment is necessary as there is increased risk of metastasis mainly to liver.[2] Numerous studies have also confirmed that tumor size and the presence of sarcomatoid  morphology indicates poor prognosis and increased risk of metastatic development of chromophobe RCC.[2-3]

Key words: chromophobe, oncocytoma, nephrectomy