[Multilocular cystic renal carcinoma: pathologic study of 14 cases].
OBJECTIVE
The article focuses on the multilocular cystic renal carcinoma, the most frequent of the renal cystic carcinomas. The importance of performing a separate analysis of these cystic tumors comes from their better prognosis some authors have suggested. Moreover, they are frequently difficult to differentiate from multilocular benign cysts and other benign lesions by radiological studies, cytology or even during surgery. Pathologic study is essential for a definitive diagnosis of the lesion.


RESULTS
We reviewed 14 cases of multilocular cystic renal carcinoma obtained from the series of 191 renal cell carcinomas diagnosed in our hospital in the period 1995-2002. Inclusion criteria were existence of a multicystic complex mass, in which clear cells partially or completely covered the cystic walls and accumulate within the septa.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of well-documented cases of multilocular cystic renal carcinoma with metastases supports the fact that they are tumors with a very good prognosis. In conclusion, data from both literature and our series support that multilocular cystic renal carcinoma should be considered a low-grade neoplasia, and its treatment should be conservative.
Romero Ortiz
Ana
A
Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España. anaromeroortiz@hotmail.com
López-Beltrán
Antonio
A
Pérez Luque
Alfonso
A
Requena Tapia
María José
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology*