Thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney in a patient with nephrolithiasis and polycystic kidney disease: a case report

Diagn Pathol. 2013 Jul 2:8:108. doi: 10.1186/1746-1596-8-108.

Abstract

Thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney (TLFC), a rare neoplasm with low malignant potential, is histologically similar to primary thyroid follicular carcinoma, but characteristically lacks thyroid immunohistochemical markers. We report a case of 34-year old patient with nephrolithiasis. Ultrasound revealed hepatorenal cysts consistent with adult type polycystic kidney disease (ATPKD) and a cytologically confirmed left kidney tumor. Nephrectomy specimen contained sharply demarcated lesion of unusual morphology. Tubular and cystic structures lined by mostly cuboidal cells and filled with amorphous eosinophillic material, reminiscent of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland, were diagnostic for TLFC. Thyroid markers were negative. To our knowledge this is the first report of TFLC associated to ATPKD. Brief review of previously published TFLCs, possible relationship between entities and differential diagnosis are discussed.

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Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Carcinoma / chemistry
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery
  • Nephrectomy
  • Nephrolithiasis / complications*
  • Nephrolithiasis / pathology
  • Nephrolithiasis / surgery
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / complications*
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / surgery

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor