Six chromophobe cell carcinomas and one mixed renal

Objective  To determine the incidence and clinical and pathological features of chromophobe cell carcinoma (CCC) among renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Materials and methods  The records and nephrectomy samples from 166 patients who were operated on and followed up thereafter with a diagnosis of RCC were re-evaluated. New sections were cut and specific staining performed when deemed necessary. Results  Of 166 patients with RCC, six were diagnosed as having CCC and, unusually, one patient had a mixed RCC with areas of CCC. Neither the symptoms nor radiological features of these seven patients differed from those of the patients with RCC; the serum ferritin levels of these seven patients were also within the normal range. These patients appeared to have a favourable clinical course. Conclusion  Chromophobe cell carcinoma is a distinct entity and must be distinguished particularly from oncocytoma and other variants of RCC. Although it seems to have a low malignant potential, metastatic CCC may have a worse prognosis.