Incidental stromal-predominant mixed epithelial-stromal tumors of the kidney: a mimic of intraparenchymal renal leiomyoma

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005 Jul;129(7):910-4. doi: 10.5858/2005-129-910-ISMETO.

Abstract

Context: Mixed epithelial-stromal tumor of the kidney is a recently recognized benign renal tumor that usually occurs in adult women and typically forms a sizable lesion with solid and cystic areas. The recognized morphologic spectrum of this recently described entity is evolving.

Objective: To review the clinicopathologic features of 3 small mixed epithelial-stromal tumors of the kidney that were incidental findings in kidneys removed for other reasons.

Design: The clinical presentation and morphologic findings of the 3 cases were reviewed. A panel of immunohistochemical stains was performed.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Results: All 3 lesions contained predominantly fascicles of smooth muscle mimicking leiomyoma, but they also had cellular subpopulations of smaller, müllerian-appearing stromal cells. Tubules present within the lesion were most abundant at the periphery, suggesting that they might be entrapped. Although only the spindled smooth muscle cells were immunoreactive for muscle markers desmin and actin, both the spindled smooth muscle cells and the cellular müllerian-appearing stromal cells demonstrated diffuse nuclear labeling for estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Conclusions: Mixed epithelial-stromal tumor of the kidney may present as an incidental stromal-predominant lesion within the kidney. Such lesions are easily confused with leiomyomas or stromal-predominant angiomyolipomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiomyolipoma / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / diagnosis*
  • Smooth Muscle Tumor / diagnosis*
  • Stromal Cells / pathology*