Abstract
Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TCC) is a rare and newly recognized variant of renal cell carcinoma, which may mimic benign cystic disease of the kidney. To our knowledge, we present the first reported case of a patient who, despite standard preoperative workup, developed TCC of his native kidney soon after receiving kidney transplantation. He was appropriately treated with native nephrectomy and has had no signs of reoccurrence 7 years postoperatively. Given the significant risk of malignancy in renal transplant patients, this case emphasizes the need for close monitoring of native cystic disease before and after transplantation, with low threshold to proceed with surgical intervention.
1. Introduction
Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TCC) of the kidney is a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and it was not recognized as a distinct entity by the World Health Organization until 2016 [1]. Literature review only yields approximately 100 reported cases, the majority of which focuses on histologic features and differentiation. There are no reported cases of TCC in transplant recipients, despite the high risk of renal cancer in this population [2]. We report a rare case of tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma occurring in the native left kidney of a renal transplant recipient.
2. Case Presentation
A 65-year-old African American male underwent a native right nephrectomy for RCC 25 years ago. Five years later, he began hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes. As part of a workup for renal transplant consideration, he underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen in 2010 that demonstrated multiple low-attenuation cysts, too small to characterize, and a 3.1 cm × 2.6 cm nonenhancing lesion in the left renal upper pole consistent with a Bosniak class II renal cyst. Based on these findings, no further follow-up was recommended (Figure 1(a)). Subsequently, he underwent a living-related kidney transplant in 2012 with an immunosuppression regimen consisting of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (thymoglobulin; Genzyme Corp., Cambridge, MA) for induction (day 0 to day 3 at 1.5 mg/kg) and maintenance therapy of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and a tapering dose of prednisone.
(a)
(b)
The patient presented to the clinic five months after his transplant with complaints of hematuria and left leg swelling. Abdominal CT scan revealed an enlarging, minimally enhancing hypodense 3.3 × 3.8 cm cystic mass, Bosniak class IV, in the upper pole of the native left kidney that was suspicious for RCC (Figure 1(b)). Venous duplex of the left leg demonstrated deep venous thrombosis extending from the popliteal to the left common femoral vein. Patient underwent thrombolysis, placement of the inferior vena cava filter, and systemic anticoagulation followed by an uneventful laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy. Macroscopic evaluation of the specimen showed a 2.3 × 2.1 × 2.0 cm well encapsulated, polycystic mass in the superior pole of the left kidney abutting the pelvis but not invading the renal parenchyma. Immunohistochemical analysis of the neoplastic cyst-lining cells was positive for racemase, CD10, vimentin, and focal positive staining with CK7, as well as negative staining with EMA (Figure 2). The patient was diagnosed with tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma of the kidney, Fuhrman nuclear grade 3, confined to the kidney.
Postoperatively, our patient was followed per the 2018 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines with abdominal imaging at one year and chest imaging annually over three years [3]. He was considered tumor-free based on his last abdominal magnetic resonance imaging in 2014, which showed no recurrent or residual disease. He continued to do well, about seven years after his renal transplant and left native nephrectomy, with a serum creatinine of 1.59 mg/dL and eGFR 49 mL/min/1.73 m2. His current immunosuppression consists of tacrolimus 2 mg twice a day, mycophenolate mofetil 750 mg twice a day, and prednisone 10 mg daily.
3. Discussion
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.
Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma is often diagnosed incidentally. However, some patients may present with hematuria, leg swelling, or abdominal pain [8]. 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]. Macroscopically, TCCs are well-circumscribed lesions comprising small cysts with multiple thin septa that give them a “bubble wrap” appearance. Although relatively indolent, TCC can behave aggressively, and it should be treated with partial or total nephrectomy [10]. Recurrence and/or metastasis occur in less than 10% of cases.
Renal transplant recipients have an increased risk (0.5–1.0%) of developing renal cancer when compared to those with ESRD (0.3%) and the general population (0.005%) [11–14]. The highest incidence of renal cancers occurs in the native kidney but may also occur in the renal allograft or even be transmitted from the donor [15]. This makes renal cancer the third most common solid tumor in transplant recipients and accounts for 10% of all cancer-related deaths following renal transplantation [16]. Risk factors for RCC in renal transplant recipients include the length of time on dialysis, the presence of renal cysts, male sex, and African descent [17, 18].
Most patients who have been on dialysis more than 3 years will have acquired renal cysts, of which 2% will develop RCC (11). These renal cysts may be categorized based on their radiologic characteristics (septa, cyst content, and enhancement) into Bosniak I, II, IIF, III, and IV classifications [19, 20]. The Bosniak classifications stratify malignancy risk, with a recent 2016 review finding malignancy occurring in 9% of type II cysts, 18% of type IIF, 51% of type III, and 86% of type IV [21]. Standard practice recommends no further intervention for Bosniak I and II, interval imaging follow-up for Bosniak IIF, and surgical intervention for Bosniak III and IV cysts [20].
Despite the increased frequency of renal cysts and RCC in patients with ESRD, there are no widely accepted screening protocols or lower interventional thresholds either before or following transplantation [11, 22, 23]. The lack of screening can be attributed to the relatively high mortality associated with ESRD and the fact that screening has not been shown to significantly increase life expectancy except when performed in younger patients. Currently, many dialysis centers will only perform routine renal screening on patients who are on the transplant waitlist [22]. For ESRD patients on the renal transplant waitlist (or undergoing evaluation) that have suspicious or complex cystic lesions, we suggest a nephrectomy in (a) young patients with a history of long-standing dialysis, (b) prior history of renal cell carcinoma in the contralateral kidney, and (c) those who may be expected to follow-up with their local nephrologists for long-term posttransplant care.
We conclude that tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma is a distinct entity of RCC. This rare case report highlights the elevated risk of developing renal cancer in transplant recipients, especially those with known renal cystic disease prior to transplantation. Therefore, such high-risk recipients should undergo either close postoperative monitoring, with annual surveillance ultrasound [16], or undergo a native nephrectomy prior to transplantation.
Abbreviations
| TCC: | Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma |
| RCC: | Renal cell carcinoma |
| ESRD: | End-stage renal disease |
| CT: | Computed tomography |
| CD: | Cluster of differentiation |
| CK: | Cytokeratin |
| EMA: | Epithelial membrane antigen. |
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Jinxing Yu for his assistance in reading the radiological images.