Mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma: a review of clinicopathologic aspects

Abstract

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma is a rare, recently described variant of renal cell carcinoma characterized by an admixture of cuboidal cells in tubules and sheets of spindle cells, and variable amounts of mucinous stroma. It has been recognized as a distinct entity in the 2004 World Health Organization tumor classification. Since then, several dozen of these tumor have been reported with additional complementary morphologic characteristics, immunohistochemical profile, and molecular genetic features that have further clarified its clinicopathologic aspects. Although originally considered as a low grade renal cell carcinoma on the basis of its bland appearing nuclear features and indolent clinical course, mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma has currently been proven to be a tumor that has a histological spectrum ranging from low to high grade that includes sarcomatoid differentiation. In this review, we present a detailed summary of the current knowledge regarding the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, molecular genetic, and prognostic characteristics, as well as differential diagnoses of mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma.

Case of renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma with high nuclear grade

“…Most of them have described RMTSCC with low nuclear grade and a favorable prognosis . However, several recent reports have shown recurrence or metastasis in RMTSCC with high nuclear grade . To our knowledge, around 20 cases of recurrence after nephrectomy in RMTSCC have been reported.…”

A rare type of renal tumor – mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma

“…MTSCC is obviously more frequent in females, with men versus women ratio of 1:4 [6,20]. It can occur at various ages, the patients ranging between 17-82 years old at the moment of diagnostic (mean 53 years) [6,20].…”

“…It can occur at various ages, the patients ranging between 17-82 years old at the moment of diagnostic (mean 53 years) [6,20]. It is generally asymptomatic, discovered incidentally during imagistic examinations; in rare cases, it can determine flank pain or hematuria [6,20,21].…”

“…Gross examination of the tumor renders it as a well circumscribed, nodular mass, with the greatest dimension from 2.2 to 12 cm (mean 6 to 7 cm) [6,20]. Its color ranges from gray, white, tan or yellow, possible with small areas of hemorrhage or necrosis [6,20,22].…”

“…Its color ranges from gray, white, tan or yellow, possible with small areas of hemorrhage or necrosis [6,20,22].…”