Calcium oxalate deposition in renal cell carcinoma associated with acquired cystic kidney disease: a comprehensive study

Am J Surg Pathol. 2005 Apr;29(4):443-51. doi: 10.1097/01.pas.0000152131.58492.97.

Abstract

The main complication of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) is frequent development of renal tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Intratumoral deposition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) is a distinct feature of ACKD-associated RCCs, but several features of this type of RCC are not known. Features of the 30 end-stage renal disease (ESRD)-associated RCCs identified within a 13-year period, including eight with CaOx deposition, were analyzed. Pathologic and clinical features of CaOx positive (+) and negative (-) RCCs were evaluated and compared. The CaOx+ RCCs showed higher tendency for bilaterality and multifocality. Seven tumors displayed distinctive morphologic features characterized by tumor cells with ill-defined cell membrane, abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, large nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. One tumor was of clear cell type. Regardless of histologic type, all tumors displayed a proximal tubular differentiation. No significant difference was noted for tumors' stage, proliferation, and apoptosis rate between the CaOx+ and CaOx- RCCs. CaOx+ RCCs account for a significant portion of all ESRD-associated RCCs. The majority of these RCCs display a distinctive morphologic profile. Proximal tubular cell differentiation in conjunction with ESRD-mediated high serum level may be pathogenetically important for intratumoral CaOx deposition. These RCCs seems to have a relatively good prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Calcinosis / metabolism*
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Calcium Oxalate / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Kidney Diseases, Cystic / complications
  • Kidney Diseases, Cystic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Diseases, Cystic / pathology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / pathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / complications
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrectomy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Calcium Oxalate