MedGen

The Heidelberg histologic classification of renal cell tumors subdivides renal cell tumors into benign and malignant parenchymal neoplasms and, where possible, limits each subcategory to the most common documented genetic abnormalities (Kovacs et al., 1997). Malignant tumors are subclassified into common or conventional renal cell carcinoma (clear cell); papillary renal cell carcinoma; chromophobe renal cell carcinoma; collecting duct carcinoma, with medullary carcinoma of the kidney; and unclassified renal cell carcinoma. The common or conventional type accounts for about 75% of renal cell neoplasms and is characterized genetically by a highly specific deletion of chromosome 3p. Papillary renal cell carcinoma (see 605074) accounts for about 10% of renal cell tumors. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 5% of renal cell neoplasms. Genetically, chromophobe RCC is characterized by a combination of loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 21 and hypodiploid DNA content. Collecting duct carcinoma accounts for about 1% of renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma occurs nearly twice as often in men as in women; incidence in the United States is equivalent among whites and blacks. Cigarette smoking doubles the likelihood of renal cell carcinoma and contributes to as many as one-third of cases. Obesity is also a risk factor, particularly in women. Other risk factors include hypertension, unopposed estrogen therapy, and occupational exposure to petroleum products, heavy metals, or asbestos (summary by Motzer et al., 1996). Genetic Heterogeneity of Renal Cell Carcinoma Germline mutation resulting in nonpapillary renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell and chromophobe type occurs in the HNF1A gene (142410) and the HNF1B gene (189907). Somatic mutations in renal cell carcinomas occur in the VHL gene (608537), the TRC8 gene (603046), the OGG1 gene (601982), the ARMET gene (601916), the FLCN gene (607273), and the BAP1 gene (603089). See also RCCX1 (300854) for a discussion of renal cell carcinoma associated with translocations of chromosome Xp11.2 involving the TFE3 gene (314310). For a discussion of papillary renal cell carcinoma, see RCCP1 (605074). Occurrence of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Other Disorders Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (193300) is a familial multicancer syndrome in which there is a susceptibility to a variety of neoplasms, including renal cell carcinoma of clear cell histology and renal cysts. A syndrome of predisposition to uterine leiomyomas and papillary renal cell carcinoma has been reported (150800). Medullary carcinoma of the kidney is believed to arise from the collecting ducts of the renal medulla and is associated with sickle cell trait (603903) (Kovacs et al., 1997). Renal cell carcinoma occurs in patients with the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome (135150). Bertolotto et al. (2011) identified a missense mutation in the MITF (156845) gene that increases the risk of renal cell carcinoma with or without malignant melanoma (CMM8; 614456). [from OMIM]

Familial erythrocytosis-2 (ECYT2) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by increased red blood cell mass, increased serum levels of erythropoietin (EPO; 133170), and normal oxygen affinity. Patients with ECYT2 carry a high risk for peripheral thrombosis and cerebrovascular events (Cario, 2005). Familial erythrocytosis-2 has features of both primary and secondary erythrocytosis. In addition to increased circulating levels of EPO, consistent with a secondary, extrinsic process, erythroid progenitors may be hypersensitive to EPO, consistent with a primary, intrinsic process (Prchal, 2005). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of familial erythrocytosis, see ECYT1 (133100). [from OMIM]

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is characterized by hemangioblastomas of the brain, spinal cord, and retina; renal cysts and clear cell renal cell carcinoma; pheochromocytoma, pancreatic cysts, and neuroendocrine tumors; endolymphatic sac tumors; and epididymal and broad ligament cysts. Cerebellar hemangioblastomas may be associated with headache, vomiting, gait disturbances, or ataxia. Spinal hemangioblastomas and related syrinx usually present with pain. Sensory and motor loss may develop with cord compression. Retinal hemangioblastomas may be the initial manifestation of VHL syndrome and can cause vision loss. Renal cell carcinoma occurs in about 70% of individuals with VHL and is the leading cause of mortality. Pheochromocytomas can be asymptomatic but may cause sustained or episodic hypertension. Pancreatic lesions often remain asymptomatic and rarely cause endocrine or exocrine insufficiency. Endolymphatic sac tumors can cause hearing loss of varying severity, which can be a presenting symptom. Cystadenomas of the epididymis are relatively common. They rarely cause problems, unless bilateral, in which case they may result in infertility. [from GeneReviews]

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]