Introduction: We present the immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of a series of four kidney tumors currently classified as mucinous tubular and spindle renal cell carcinoma (WHO), a tumor with uncertain histogenesis and differentiation. Our aims were to determine an immunoprofile and to add clinical and morphological information about this rare renal carcinoma.
Material and methods: The four tumors were found between 415 renal carcinomas at our center (0.89%). IHC was carried out with a panel of antibodies in these four cases. Morphogical and clinical information was collected and analyzed.
Results: All tumors were well circumscribed and confined to the kidney. Immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (CK)7 was intense and diffuse. Immunostaining was variable for EMA, vimentin, S-100, Ulex europaeus antigen, high-molecular-weight CK, CK 8, CK18, and CK 19. The tumors were homogeneously negative for CEA, CD15, CD10, CD34, desmin, actin, CK10, CK20, and HMB45. Proliferative index (Ki67) was <1% en all cases. The immunoreactivity was similar in cuboidal and spindle cells.
Conclusions: The present tumor shows a variable immunophenotype and there is not a precise cell type differentiation. The immunostaining in cuboidal and spindle cells suggests a similar differentiation and histogenesis.