A black-colored and well-circumscribed renal tumor in a 71-year-old woman is reported. The tumor was unique in that it was rich in vasculature and exclusively composed of perivascular epithelioid clear cells. Morphological features were reminiscent of conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, immunohistochemical examinations showed that the tumor cells did not express any epithelial markers, but diffusely and intensely expressed a melanocytic marker, gp-100/HMB-45. Another striking feature of the tumor was a large amount of cytoplasmic pigment that made the tumor wholly black. The pigment was not stained with Berlin-blue, completely bleached with potassium permanganate, and stained with Fontana-Masson staining, which suggests that the pigment was melanin. Morphological features and immunohistochemical findings indicated that the present tumor was an extreme example of a perivascular epithelioid clear cell tumor with a large amount of melanin, which has not been previously reported. One should be aware of the pure form of perivascular epithelioid clear cell tumor of the kidney because it is sometimes very difficult to differentiate this tumor from conventional RCC. Immunohistochemical examinations and the presence of cytoplasmic melanin can help the differentiation.

We report a case of xanthoma of the bladder incidentally discovered during transurethral ureteral lithotripsy for a right ureteral stone and histopathologically diagnosed by cold cup biopsy. Xanthoma, a disorder of the lipid metabolism without tumorous or inflammatory changes, is rare in the bladder with only 7 cases reported previously. Interestingly, 5 of these 7 cases were reported in the Japanese literature, as were cases of xanthogranulomatous cystitis. We have no explanation for this occurrence. Xanthoma, caused by macrophages with the ability to phagocytose, is a benign lesion. It is necessary to continue careful followup by cystoscopy to determine if xanthoma increases or decreases in size.

Objective: Effects of sorafenib in general clinical practice, especially those with patients of Asian ethnicity, have been rarely investigated. We assessed efficacy, safety and prognostic factors for progression-free survival in Japanese patients receiving sorafenib for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 159 Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma. Progression-free survival was estimated by the Kaplan -Meier method. Objective response (per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) and safety were assessed. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival. Results: The median progression-free survival was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval, 7.5 -10.6 months). In 142 patients with measurable lesions, the objective response rate was 21.8%, and disease control was achieved in 85 (59.9%) patients. Adverse events of any grade occurred in 152 patients (95.6%). Most common adverse events causing discontinuation or interruption of sorafenib were hand-foot skin reaction (22%), rash (10.7%) and liver dysfunction (10.7%). Dose reduction or therapy interruption due to adverse events was required in 128 patients (80.5%). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that favorable prognosis according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic factors and relative dose intensity during the first month of treatment of !50% were significant factors for predicting superior progression-free survival with sorafenib treatment. Conclusions: Sorafenib was effective in Japanese patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in general clinical practice and was tolerated although most patients required dose reduction or interruption of therapy. Future studies should establish new strategies for treatment without sacrificing both efficacy and patient quality of life.

Reported herein is an unusual case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with lymphoepithelioma-like appearance in a 64-year-old man who was found to have an intrahepatic mass without cirrhosis. The tumor had two distinct histological patterns with dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The first was similar to nasopharyngeal undifferentiated carcinoma; the second pattern was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Transition between the two components was observed in the same duct. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the tumor was immunoreactive with AE1/AE3 and cytokeratin (CK) 7, but negative for CEA and CK20. Stromal inflammatory infiltrate primarily consisted of plasma cells and lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical examination and in situ hybridization for EBV showed no integration of the virus in the tumor cells. Intrahepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is rare, and most are associated with EBV. Only three cases were not associated with EBV. The authors would like to add one more example of the tumors not associated with EBV.

A unique case of ganglioneuroma mimicking a lipomatous tumor in a 73-year-old man is reported. The tumor was incidentally found on radiography performed for unrelated reasons. Because of the fat element, CT and magnetic resonance imaging suggested myelolipoma inside or outside the right adrenal gland. The laparotomy indicated that the tumor was located on the right adrenal gland. It was well circumscribed but not encapsulated, and was approximately 2 cm in diameter. Microscopically, ganglioneuromatous component was scattered in the background of a large amount of adipose tissue. Because the presence of such a large amount of adipose tissue seems to be rare in ganglioneuromas, its histogenesis is discussed.