Aggressive Ciliary Body Adenocarcinoma with Bilateral Lung Metastases: Histological, Molecular, Genetic and Clinical Aspects

[Adenocarcinoma of nonpigmented ciliary body epithelium (clinical cases)]

The article presents two clinical cases of adenocarcinoma of nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body, which is a very rare malignant tumor of the organ of vision with distinctive features. Surgical treatment is necessary to verify this tumor and assess the degree of its aggressiveness in terms of the prognosis of the disease, with subsequent pathomorphological and immunohistochemical studies. The article also discusses the epidemiological aspects, morphological features, clinical manifestations of this pathological condition, as well as possible treatment options and features of follow-up monitoring of this group of patients.

Overlapping Immunohistochemical Features of Adenocarcinoma of the Nonpigmented Ciliary Body Epithelium and Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To find immunohistochemical markers that distinguish adenocarcinoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE) from metastatic carcinoma, especially metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Three cases of adenocarcinoma of the NPCE were examined histologically with hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunohistochemical stains including vimentin, AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, CK7, PAX2, PAX8, AMACR, and CAIX. We also reviewed previously reported cases of this tumor.

RESULTS

We found that the immunohistochemical profile of adenocarcinoma of the NPCE can overlap with renal cell carcinoma. Both tumors can express vimentin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, PAX2, PAX8, and AMACR. One of the adenocarcinomas of the NPCE in our series also expressed CD10 and the renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC Ma). Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) was not detected in any of the 3 tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenocarcinomas arising in phthisic eyes can be diagnostically challenging. We have found it particularly difficult to distinguish adenocarcinoma of the NPCE from metastatic carcinoma, especially metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma. Because of the immunophenotypic overlap, most patients will require systemic workup including imaging of the kidneys to be certain of the diagnosis.