Learning objectives
Classification system for renal tumours
Epidemiology & pathophysiology of Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC)
Imaging features of RMC from our case series of affected patients
Histopathology of RMC
Background
Renal cell carcinoma is the 7th most common cancer diagnosis in the UK (1).
Whilst the vast majority of tumours follow a predictable clinical course,
medullary renal carcinoma,
a strikingly rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma presents earlier and is far more aggressive than other subtypes (2).
Interestingly,
it is only seen in specific populations.
Despite this,
the imaging features are poorly described in current literature.
Within this educational poster,
we plan to firstly remind readers of a general classification system for renal tumours,
and...
Findings and procedure details
Classification system for renal tumours
Renal tumours are common,
and the incidence has increased greatly since the 1990s (1).
This in part due to an ageing population but also as a result of incidental findings on increasingly-used cross-sectional imaging.
Renal lesions should be classified when possible by the radiologist or histopathologist to inform the referring clinician of the expected clinical course,
prognosis,
and appropriate management options.
[Figure 1].
Solid renal tumours can be benign or malignant.
The likelihood of malignancy varies depending on size at...
Conclusion
RMC should be considered in young patients with sickle cell haemoglobinopathy presenting with a renal mass.
Although renal lesions are increasingly biopsied prior to resection,
the ability to recognise the imaging characteristics of tumours,
including these rare subtypes,
can lead to a more rapid diagnosis and guide subsequent management of a tumour that has a notoriously poor prognosis.
References
Cancer Research UK.
Kidney Cancer Statistics [Available from: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/kidney-cancer - heading-Zero.
Alvarez O,
Rodriguez MM,
Jordan L,
Sarnaik S.
Renal medullary carcinoma and sickle cell trait: A systematic review.
Pediatric blood & cancer.
2015;62(10):1694-9.
Frank I,
Blute ML,
Cheville JC,
Lohse CM,
Weaver AL,
Zincke H.
Solid renal tumors: an analysis of pathological features related to tumor size.
The Journal of urology.
2003;170(6 Pt 1):2217-20.
Bosniak MA.
The current radiological approach to renal cysts.
Radiology.
1986;158(1):1-10.
Woo S,
Cho JY.
Imaging Findings of Common Benign...