Classification
Recent genetic studies have altered the approaches used in classifying renal cell carcinoma. The following system can be used to classify these tumors:
- clear cell renal cell carcinoma (VHL, PBRM1 and others on chromosome 3)
- papillary renal cell carcinoma (MET, PRCC)
- chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
- collecting duct carcinoma
- clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma
Renal epithelial neoplasms have characteristic cytogenetic aberrations that can aid in classification. See also Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology.
- clear cell carcinoma: loss of 3p
- papillary carcinoma: trisomy 7, 16, 17
- chromophobe carcinoma: hypodiploid with loss of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 17, 21
Array-based karyotyping can be used to identify characteristic chromosomal aberrations in renal tumors with challenging morphology. Array-based karyotyping performs well on paraffin embedded tumors and is amenable to routine clinical use. See also Virtual Karyotype for CLIA certified laboratories offering array-based karyotyping of solid tumors.
Other associated genes include TRC8, OGG1, HNF1A, HNF1B, TFE3, RCCP3, and RCC17.
Read more about this topic: Renal Cell Carcinoma