Genetic mutations in accordance with a low malignant potential tumour are not demonstrated in clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma

Clear-cell papillary renal cell tumour: New insights into clinicopathological features and molecular landscape after renaming by 5th WHO classification

OBJECTIVE

Clear cell papillary renal cell tumour (CCPRCT) is a kind of renal epithelial cell tumor, and was renamed by the 5th WHO due to its specific epidemiology and clinicopathological characteristics. However, the biological mechanism and molecular basis of CCPRCT still need to be further clarified. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of CCPRCC, and particularly compare it with other more prevalent subtypes of renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

12 cases of CCPRCT were collected for analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics. Then, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was employed to reveal the genetic profiles, followed by comparison with the molecular genetic alterations identified in ccRCC (341) and pRCC (200) datasets obtained from the TCGA database.

RESULTS

Of the 12 CCPRCT cases, the male-to-female ratio was 4:1 with a mean age of 49.5 years (48.5 ± 10.5) at diagnosis. All patients were diagnosed accidentally during routine physical examinations. All tumors (12/12, 100%）had a solid-cystic appearance with a well-defined fibrous capsule. The median size of the tumors was 3 cm (2.98 ± 1.2). Histologically, the cystic papillary structures were considered to be prominent, lined with cuboidal tumor cells away from basement membrane. The tumor cells were moderately atypia equivalent to grade 1 or grade 2 according to the ISUP nuclear grading system. Typically, the tumor cell diffusely positive for CK7 and CAIX in a "cup-like" pattern. The results of WES revealed recurrent gene alterations (mainly missense mutation) of TTN and FLT in 4 cases (4/12, 33.3%), respectively, of which, the alteration of FLT was not observed in ccRCC and pRCC of the TCGA database. Other gene alterations including POTEC (1 cases), PRADC1 (1 cases), ZZZ3 (1 case) and PTPRZ1 (1 case), etc. Moreover, all of the CCPRCT cases displayed a lower tumor mutation burden (TMB) compared to ccRCC and pRCC with median TMB of 1.04 (range: 1.94 ± 2.74). None of the patients experienced tumor metastasis, recurrence, or tumor-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

CCPRCT is a renal epithelial cell tumor characterized by specific clinical and pathological features. Our study provides additional evidence supporting the favorable prognosis of CCPRCT. Furthermore, the potential molecular alterations were uncovered by this study in CCPRCT such as the FLT family and TTN. However, due to the limited sample size, larger studies are required to validate these findings.

Characteristics of Clear Cell Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccpRCC)

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) is a group of various malignant tumours of the renal cortex displaying distinct clinical, morphologic, and genetic features. Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (ccpRCC), belonging to this group, shares morphologic features with both clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) and therefore, more strict diagnostic criteria should be developed to avoid misdiagnosis. Despite overlapping features, ccpRCC has also distinct clinical behaviour, histologic characteristics (morphologic and immunohistochemical), and genomic features. The concepts concerning this tumour are constantly developing since its biological potential and molecular basis remains to be fully unravelled. First reports indicated the presence of ccpRCC in end-stage renal disease, and they underlined the enriched development in this group of patients; however, currently, it is known that such tumours can also occur spontaneously in the normal kidney. Numerous studies have demonstrated that clinical outcomes and prognosis of ccpRCC patients is highly favourable. Till now, no convincing evidence of metastatic ccpRCC or death caused by the disease has been found. Therefore, it is of high importance to correctly differentiate ccpRCC from other subtypes of RCC with a much worse prognosis and to introduce appropriate management.

Cytomorphologic analysis of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma: Distinguishing diagnostic features

BACKGROUND

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) shares histomorphologic and immunophenotypic features with clear cell RCC (CCRCC) and papillary RCC (PRCC).

METHODS

We compared the cytomorphology, immunoprofile, and clinical management of CCPRCC (n = 18), CCRCC (n = 20), and PRCC (n = 18).

RESULTS

Useful cytomorphologic features for comparing CCPRCC with CCRCC include 3-dimensional clusters (72% vs 0%), papillae (50% vs 0%) and sheets (22% vs 70%), vasculature (papillary vs traversing), naked nuclei (17% vs 100%), prominent nucleoli (0% vs 65%), and amount of cytoplasm (small vs large). Useful cytomorphologic features for comparing CCPRCC with PRCC include sheets (22% vs 61%), naked nuclei (17% vs 67%), nuclear grooves (5% vs 67%) and inclusions (17% vs 67%), and pigmented cytoplasm (17% vs 83%). At on-site evaluation, 16 of 18 (86%) CCPRCC specimens were deemed adequate, with suspicion for CCPRCC in 5 of 16 (31%) cases. Core histology of CCPRCC showed low-grade malignant cells in nests (67%), tubules (100%), and papillae (72%), frequently in myxohyaline stroma (67%). Immunostains demonstrated expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7; 100%), carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX; 100%, cup-like), CD10 (53%, reverse cup-like), and α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; 35%). Among 18 CCPRCC patients, 9 (50%) underwent nephrectomy, 5 (28%) underwent cryo-ablation, and 4 (22%) were under surveillance with serial imaging.

CONCLUSION

Certain morphologic features represent diagnostic criteria of CCPRCC in cytology specimens and help distinguish CCPRCC from CCRCC and PRCC. Immunostaining patterns with CK7, CA IX, CD10, and AMACR can confirm the diagnosis. Delineating CCPRCC from more biologically aggressive RCC types in cytology specimens enhances presurgical and clinical management of patients given CCPRCC's low-grade, indolent behavior.

Five decades of urologic pathology: the accelerating expansion of knowledge in renal cell neoplasia

Those who are knowledgeable in cosmology inform us that the expansion of the universe is such that the velocity at which a distant galaxy is receding from the observer is continually increasing with time. We humbly paraphrase that as "The bigger the universe gets, the faster it gets bigger." This is an interesting analogy for the expansion of knowledge in the field of renal tumor pathology over the past 30 to 50 years. It is clear that a multitude of dedicated investigators have devoted incalculable amounts of time and effort to the pursuit of knowledge about renal epithelial neoplasms. As a consequence of the contributions of numerous investigators over many decades, the most recent World Health Organization classification of renal neoplasms includes about 50 well defined and distinctive renal tumors, as well as various miscellaneous and metastatic tumors. In addition, a number of emerging or provisional new entities are under active investigation and may be included in future classifications. In this review, we will focus on a number of these tumors, tracing as accurately as we can the origins of their discovery, relating relevant additions to the overall knowledge base surrounding them, and in some instances addressing changes in nomenclature.

Primary Renal Carcinoid with Bilateral Multiple Clear Cell Papillary Renal Cell Carcinomas

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) is a newly recognized entity in the 2016 WHO classification and usually presents as a small, circumscribed, solitary mass of indolent nature. CCPRCCs could seldom occur in conjunction with other synchronous or metachronous kidney tumors and even less frequently as bilateral masses. To our knowledge, multiple bilateral CCPRCCs have never been described with the existence of a synchronous well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the kidney and hence reported here as a unique case. This case report highlights the importance in considering this entity and its unusual presentation in the differential diagnosis as a possible mimicker of Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

Renal cell carcinoma: the search for a reliable biomarker

One particular challenge in the treatment of kidney tumors is the range of histologies and tumor phenotypes a renal mass can represent. A kidney tumor can range from benign (e.g., oncocytoma) to a clinically indolent malignancy (e.g., papillary type I, chromophobe) to aggressive disease [e.g., papillary type II or high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)]. Even among various subtypes, kidney cancers are genetically diverse with variable prognoses and treatment response rates. Therefore, the key to proper treatment is the differentiation of these subtypes. Currently, a wide array of diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers exist that may help guide the individualized care of kidney cancer patients. This review will discuss the various serum, urine, imaging, and immunohistological biomarkers available in practice.

A contemporary series of renal masses with emphasis on recently recognized entities and tumors of low malignant potential: A report based on 624 consecutive tumors from a single tertiary center

INTRODUCTION

A number of new renal tumor entities have been recognized by the 2016 World Health Organization classification of urologic tumors. The classification includes tumors with different behavior and introduces one tumor with low malignant potential, the multilocular cystic clear cell renal cell neoplasm of low malignant potential (mcCCRCNLMP). However, some categories still labeled as "carcinoma", such as clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC), renal angioleiomyomatous tumor (RAT), and tubulocystic carcinoma (TCRCC), all with a particularly good prognosis when diagnosed as low stage, show no malignant behavior: in fact, no metastases have been reported in these categories when surgically excised. Current experience is limited to supporting these neoplasms as benign entities although, recent literature data is defining these entities as "low malignant potential tumors".

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a search through our files on a consecutive series of 624 renal tumors diagnosed over a period of 2 years to address the incidence of this category of tumors.

RESULTS

Applying strict histological criteria, the "low malignant potential" tumors, comprised 7% of renal masses that are less than 4cm in size and 3.8% of renal masses measuring 4-7cm in the series of 624 renal tumors. When benign tumors are taken into considerations, the benign and "low malignant potential tumors" represent about one third of renal masses <4cm and one sixth of renal masses between 4 and 7cm. All these cases have not shown recurrence or metastasis at follow-up, mean follow-up of 18 months (range 6-30 months).

CONCLUSIONS

This information may assist urologists in developing guidelines for counseling and proper clinical management for patients with "low malignant potential" tumors or small renal masses.

Cytomorphology of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) shares some morphologic and immunohistochemical markers with clear cell RCC and papillary RCC. To the author's knowledge, its cytomorphology on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or touch preparations (TPs) of core needle biopsy specimens has not been well delineated in the English language literature.

METHODS

The FNA/TP cytomorphology of 7 retrieved cases was studied.

RESULTS

The tumor cells were arranged in small nests (100%), 3-dimensional clusters (71%), papillary/tubular/acinar arrays (43%), and as single cells (57%). The tumor cells were columnar (100%) and polygonal (57%) in shape, with eccentric, small, round-to-oval nuclei. The nuclei contained evenly distributed, fine granular chromatin and demonstrated a smooth nuclear membrane (100%) (Fuhrman grade 1 to 2). The tumor cells had a moderate amount of delicate or clear cytoplasm containing small vacuoles (100%) and ill-defined cytoplasmic borders (100%). Scattered macrophages (57%) and necrosis (29%) were identified in the background. Vessels were noted within the papillary cores, transversing or surrounding nests of tumors. Immunochemical studies demonstrated expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) (100%), carbonic anhydrase IX (CA 9) (100% in a cup-shaped membranous pattern), α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) (50%), and CD10 (43%). The tumor cells were negative for CD117.

CONCLUSIONS

CCPRCC was found to demonstrate cytologic features that when taken together are helpful in diagnosing CCPRCC on FNA smears and TPs. If core needle biopsy specimens or cell blocks are available, an immunohistochemical panel including CK7, CA IX, CD10, and AMACR may help in excluding congeners. This subtype of RCC requires differentiation from clear cell RCC and papillary RCC due to its low-grade indolent behavior. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:48-54. © 2016 American Cancer Society.