Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Last revised by Ammar Ashraf on 12 Mar 2023

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is one of the less common subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

This is the least common major subtype of RCC, occurring 5% of the time 1. Similar incidence in men and women. There is an association with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome 4.

This type of RCC arises from intercalated cells of collecting ducts 1,2. The designation "chromophobe" arises because the tumour cells are less translucent than clear cell renal cell carcinomas during staining for histology 1. They have a similar origin to oncocytomas 3.

  • presents similarly to other renal cell masses, with an isoechoic/hypoechoic masslike contour abnormality and flow on colour Doppler imaging
  • relatively homogeneous contrast enhancement (less than the renal cortex).
  • isointense to kidney / maybe T2 hypointense
  • relatively homogeneous contrast enhancement
  • necrosis not common

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