Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is one of the less common subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Epidemiology

This is the least common major subtype of RCC, occurring 5% of the time . Similar incidence in men and women.

Pathology

This type of RCC arises from intercalated cells of collecting ducts . The designation "chromophobe" arises because the tumor cells are less translucent than clear cell renal cell carcinomas during staining for histology . They have a similar origin to oncocytomas .

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

• presents similarly to other renal cell masses, with an isoechoic/hypoechoic masslike contour abnormality and flow on color Doppler imaging

CT

• relatively homogeneous contrast enhancement

MRI

• isointense to kidney / maybe T2 hypointense
• relatively homogeneous contrast enhancement
• necrosis not common

Differential diagnosis

• other subtypes of renal cell carcinoma
  • clear cell RCC
  • papillary RCC
• oncocytoma
  • chromophobe RCC and oncocytoma share a similar pathologic origin and have similar imaging features
  • the classic "spoke wheel pattern of enhancement in oncocytomas has been reported in chromophobe RCC