BACKGROUND: Kidneys with single or multiple tumors, provided that they have histological features recognized as being associated with low risk of recurrence, are considered suitable for transplantation. It is known that kidneys with multiple primary renal tumors show poor renal function and that function dramatically declines when tumors have a miliary configuration. Despite this, no guidelines are in place to differentiate between multifocal tumors and those that are miliary in nature. CASE REPORT: We report a case in which initial examination revealed papillary renal cell neoplasia in deceased donor kidneys, which were later confirmed on histological and genetic testing to be multiple and miliary in distribution. Gross examination showed closely opposed neoplasms, and on histological examination these were found to be papillary renal cell carcinomas and renal papillary adenomas. This ultimately led to the decision that both kidneys were unsuitable for transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: At present there are no recommendations as to how tumor-bearing donor kidneys should be handled in order to determine if miliary neoplasia is present. From our case it is apparent that, in addition to obvious tumor nodules, at least 3 samples of cortex should be examined. This case highlights the important role of the pathologist in assessing donor kidneys with evidence of neoplasia.

Donor kidneys with miliary papillary renal cell neoplasia: the role of the pathologist in determining suitability for transplantation

ECCHER, Albino;GHIMENTON, CLAUDIO;Caliò A;MARTIGNONI, Guido;BRUNELLI, Matteo
2014-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Kidneys with single or multiple tumors, provided that they have histological features recognized as being associated with low risk of recurrence, are considered suitable for transplantation. It is known that kidneys with multiple primary renal tumors show poor renal function and that function dramatically declines when tumors have a miliary configuration. Despite this, no guidelines are in place to differentiate between multifocal tumors and those that are miliary in nature. CASE REPORT: We report a case in which initial examination revealed papillary renal cell neoplasia in deceased donor kidneys, which were later confirmed on histological and genetic testing to be multiple and miliary in distribution. Gross examination showed closely opposed neoplasms, and on histological examination these were found to be papillary renal cell carcinomas and renal papillary adenomas. This ultimately led to the decision that both kidneys were unsuitable for transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: At present there are no recommendations as to how tumor-bearing donor kidneys should be handled in order to determine if miliary neoplasia is present. From our case it is apparent that, in addition to obvious tumor nodules, at least 3 samples of cortex should be examined. This case highlights the important role of the pathologist in assessing donor kidneys with evidence of neoplasia.
2014
Kidneys; transplantation; renal tumors; papillary renal cell neoplasia
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/765961
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 1
social impact