Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma: a review of literature focused on radiological findings for differential diagnosis

Abstract

Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TC-RCC) has been classified as an independent subtype according to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. It is a rare subtype that predominantly affects men. Although few in number, radiological imaging reports have suggested that TC-RCC is characterized by multilocular cystic lesions, which are categorized as the Bosniak classification II-IV, with signature pathological characteristics comprising numerous small cysts or a tubular structure. The Bosniak classification system facilitates patient management; however, the differentiation of cystic tumors exhibiting similar imaging findings remains impossible; in fact, the differentiation of multilocular cystic RCC, adult cystic nephroma, and mixed epithelial and stromal tumor remains challenging. This review aims to discuss TC-RCC with a focus on implications of radiological findings in the differential diagnosis of TC-RCC.

Tubulocystic Renal Cell Carcinoma of the Native Kidney in a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Rare Case Report

“…Cystic lesions of the kidneys may present a diagnostic dilemma in ESRD patients, especially if they are being considered for renal transplantation. Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TCC) of the kidney is a rare, recently recognized entity of renal cell carcinoma ( Table 1 ) [ 1 , 4 – 7 ]. To our knowledge, TCC occurring within the native kidney of a renal transplant recipient has not been previously reported.…”

“…It occurs most frequently in the fifth or sixth decades with a strong male predominance (male : female ratio: 7 : 1), and approximately 60% occur in the left kidney [ 2 ]. The differential diagnosis of TCC includes other tumors with cystic appearance on imaging, such as multilocular cystic RCC and adult cystic nephroma [ 7 ]. It is not uncommon to have TCC described on imaging as cysts with unusual or atypical features [ 9 ] and can vary in appearance from Bosniak class II to IV [ 7 ].…”

“…The differential diagnosis of TCC includes other tumors with cystic appearance on imaging, such as multilocular cystic RCC and adult cystic nephroma [ 7 ]. It is not uncommon to have TCC described on imaging as cysts with unusual or atypical features [ 9 ] and can vary in appearance from Bosniak class II to IV [ 7 ]. Macroscopically, TCCs are well-circumscribed lesions comprising small cysts with multiple thin septa that give them a “bubble wrap” appearance.…”

A simple cyst is not always simply a cyst: A case of cystic recurrence after nephrectomy for tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma and literature review

“…MRI is useful to characterize and classify the cystic mass properly according to the Bosniak classification system. 4,5 Only a few cases metastasizing to lymph node, liver, bone, and pleura have been reported, and their clinical characteristics are summarized in Table 1.…”

Rare case of tubulocystic RCC in association with papillary RCC

“…Microscopically, TC-RCC comprises tubules and cysts of variable sizes, which are lined with a single layer of cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and show intervening septa. Interestingly, the coexistence of TC-RCC with papillary RCC is not uncommon 1 2. The coexistence of poorly differentiated foci suggests worse prognosis 3.…”