Kidney tumors & LUT path Flashcards
Renal cell carcinoma
derived from the renal tubular epithelium, located primarily in cortex
renal adenocarcinoma
represent 80-85% of all primary malignant tumors of the kidney
men > women; peak age: 50s-60s
RCC risk
cigarette smokers
occupational exposure to cadmium
dialysis-associated acquired cysts
RCC, VHL
most common (70-80%)
most sporadic, but some familial forms
associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease
-predisposition to many neoplasms, but particularly to hemangioblastomas of the cerebellum and retina
-in 40-60% of cases, hundreds of bilateral cysts and multiple clear cell carcinomas develop
-due to homozygous loss of VHL gene on 3p25; mutation of this gene is also involved in sporadic clear cell carcinoma
RCC appearance
typically a yellow to orange mass in the upper pole of the kidney
RCC how invasive
very invasive!
often extends through calyces, pelvis, even ureters
may enter renal vein and extend as far as right atrium
RCC clinical features
“Classic” triad (10%): hematuria, palpable mass, and flank pain
polycythemia, hypertension
paraneoplastic syndromes: Cushing syndrome, hypercalcemia
high incidence of metastasis on initial presentation
-lungs, bones, regional lymph nodes
Papillary renal cell carcinoma
papillary growth pattern
frequently multifocal and bilateral
also occur in familial and sporadic forms, but different gene from VHL
-overdose of MET (encodes a tyrosine kinase) caused by amplification of the gene
*MET signals growth of proximal tubule epithelial cells
*amplification is due to trisomy of chromosome 7 (sporadic or familial)
Chromophobe Renal Carcinomas
least common
tumor cells stain more darkly than cells in clear cell carcinomas
cancer cells show multiple losses of entire chromosomes (hypodiploidy)
Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma)
well-circumscribed mass soft very large tan to gray occasional foci of hemorrhage and necrosis
Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma) malformations
3rd most common cancer in children <10 yoa (most occur between 2-5 yoa)
Three groups of congenital malformations are associated with Wilms tumor,
-all due to mutations in genes (WT1and WT2) on chromosome 11:
WAGR syndrome
Denys-Drash syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS)
WAGR syndrome
Wilms tumor (33%)
Aniridia
Genital abnormalities
mental retardation
Denys-Drash syndrome
gonadal dysgenesis
renal abnormalities
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS)
enlargement of individual body organs (e.g., tongue, kidneys), or entire body segments (hemihypertrophy)
- disorder of genomic imprinting
- region on ch 11 normally only expressed from paternal chromosome, while other is silenced. In BWS, the maternal copy is no longer imprinted.
Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma) clinical course
readily palpable abdominal mass
may present with fever and abdominal pain, hematuria, or intestinal obstruction
good prognosis: survival for 2 years implies cure
Horseshoe kidney
This is a congenital anomaly that most often occurs in association with other anomalies or syndromes with specific genetic defects such as trisomy 18. However, it can also occur as an isolated anomaly. The possible problem here is that the ureters take an abnormal course across the “bridge” of renal tissue and this can lead to partial obstruction with hydronephrosis.
Congenital anomalies
double ureters
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
Sclerosing retroperitoneal fibrosis
double ureters
Derived from a double or split ureteral bud
Double ureters are seen exiting from each kidney and extending to the bladder that has been opened. A small segment of aorta is seen between the normal, smooth-surfaced kidneys. A partial or complete duplication of one or both ureters occurs in about 1 in 150 persons. There is a potential for obstructive problems due to the abnormal flow of urine and the entrance of two ureters into the bladder in close proximity, but most of the time this is an incidental finding (except to a urologist).
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
most common cause of hydronephrosis in adults and children
usually presents in infants and children
-more commonly in boys and in the left ureter
In adults, more common in women and usually unilateral (80%)
Sclerosing retroperitoneal fibrosis
An uncommon cause of ureteral narrowing or obstruction
Characterized by a fibrous proliferative inflammatory process encasing the retroperitoneal structures and causing hydronephrosis
Occurs in middle to late age
70% of cases are idiopathic (Ormond disease)
-An autoimmune reaction, sometimes triggered by drugs, has been proposed
Ureter benign neoplasms
Primary neoplasia of the ureters is rare
The two most common benign tumors are:
Fibroepithelial polyps
-A tumor-like lesion presenting as a small mass projecting into the lumen
-Occurs more commonly in the ureters (L>R), but may occur in the bladder, renal pelves and urethra
Leiomyomas
Ureters malignant neoplasms
Similar to those found in the renal pelvis, calyces, and bladder
Majority are transitional cell carcinomas
Most frequent: 50-60 yoa
Occasionally found concurrent with neoplasms in kidney and bladder