Mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae in renal oncocytomas.
Renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) are closely related tumors. They are considered the extremes of a spectrum with several variants. Ultrastructural examination of the mitochondria is a helpful procedure in the diagnosis of these neoplasms. Renal oncocytomas show mitochondria with piled lamellar cristae, and CRCC exhibited mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae. In a series of 23 histologically diagnosed renal oncocytomas examined by electron microscopy, the authors found 5 tumors exhibiting more cells with mitochondria showing tubulovesicular cristae. The authors believe these 5 cases present a submicroscopic appearance intermediate between renal oncocytoma and CRCC, although with benign clinical behavior.
Service of Pathology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
C
C
Bárcena
M A
MA
Martínez
M P
MP
Ortega
H García
HG
Muñoz
G Usera
GU
Sárraga
D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor