Hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma with renal metastasis: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Secondary Tumors of the Kidney: A Comprehensive Clinicopathologic Analysis

Metastases to the kidney are rare and were historically described in autopsy series, and the incidence ranged between 2.36% and 12.6%. However, in the contemporary literature with the improvements in imaging modalities (computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) and other health care screening services, metastatic tumors to the kidney are being diagnosed more frequently in surgical specimens. The utility of needle core biopsies in the primary evaluation of renal masses has also increased the number of sampled metastases, and as a result, only limited histologic material is available for evaluation in some cases and may potentially lead to diagnostic pitfalls. In the last decade, a few large clinical series have been published. In these series, the majority of metastatic tumors to the kidney are carcinomas, with the lung being the most common primary site. A significant number of the various tumor types with metastasis to the kidney are also associated with widespread metastases to other organs, and the renal metastasis may present several years after diagnosis of the primary tumor. The majority of secondary tumors of the kidney are asymptomatic, incidentally discovered, and solitary. There should be a high index of suspicion of metastasis to the kidney in patients with an associated enlarging renal lesion with minimal to no enhancement on imaging and tumor progression of a known high-grade nonrenal malignancy. Secondary tumors of the kidney can be accurately diagnosed by correlating histopathologic features with clinical and radiographic findings and the judicious use of ancillary studies.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma: A literature review

First reported in 1976, hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) is a rare mesenchymal liver tumor occurring mostly in middle-aged women. Diagnosis of the liver mass is often incidental on abdominal imaging due to the frequent absence of specific symptoms. Nearly 10% of HAMLs are associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. HAML contains variable proportions of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells and adipose tissue, which renders radiological diagnosis hazardous. Cells express positivity for HMB-45 and actin, thus these tumors are integrated into the group of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors. Typically, a HAML appears on magnetic resonance imaging (or computed tomography scan) as a hypervascular solid tumor with fatty areas and with washout, and can easily be misdiagnosed as other liver tumors, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. The therapeutic strategy is not clearly defined, but surgical resection is indicated for symptomatic patients, for tumors showing an aggressive pattern (i.e., changes in size on imaging or high proliferation activity and atypical epithelioid pattern on liver biopsy), for large (> 5 cm) biopsy-proven HAML, and if doubts remain on imaging or histology. Conservative management may be justified in other conditions, since most cases follow a benign clinical course. In summary, the correct diagnosis of HAML is challenging on imaging and relies mainly on pathological findings.

Metastases to the Kidney: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Renal metastases are uncommon in clinical practice, even as autopsy reports much frequent cases în disseminated tumors. Usually multiple and bilateral, they can determine many problems of differential diagnosis in case of solitary renal mass, when a primary kidney neoplasm must be excluded. Main sources are represented by the tumors of the lung, breast, digestive tract, melanomas and lymphomas, but rare cases with other etiology have been reported. Imaging can help to the diagnosis; CT scan, MRI, transabdominal ultrasound and sometimes contrast enhanced ultrasound can be useful. The treatment is individualized by the general status, by other organs involved and by the control of primary tumors; nephrectomy can be made in cases with unsure diagnosis and if primary tumor is controlled.