Renal oncocytoma

Changed by Matt A. Morgan, 24 May 2021

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Renal oncocytomas are relatively benign renal tumours. The main clinical importance of this lesion is the difficulty in pre-operatively distinguishing it from renal cell carcinomas, as epidemiology, presentation, imaging and even histology can be very similar. 

Epidemiology

Renal oncocytomas account for approximately 5% of resected primary adult epithelial renal neoplasms. They typically present in the 6th to 7th decades with a peak incidence at 55 years of age. There is 2:1 male predilection 1,2. Unfortunately, these demographics are similar to renal cell carcinoma

Clinical presentation

Up to three-quarters of patients with a renal oncocytoma are asymptomatic. In cases where the mass is large, then a flank or abdominal mass may be the presenting complaint. Occasionally hypertension, haematuria or pain may be the presenting complaint 2.  

Pathology

Macroscopic appearance

Macroscopically oncocytomas are tan in colour, similar to the renal cortex, or darker brown (mahogany brown). A rim of compressed normal renal parenchyma is sometimes seen, forming a pseudo capsule 2,3. Macroscopic haemorrhage is seen in a minority of patients (~20%) 2

Microscopic appearance

Oncocytomas are believed to originate from intercalated tubular cells of the collecting tubules and are composed of large, swollen eosinophilic cells of protuberant mitochondrial components 2-4. A biopsy is usually unhelpful in distinguishing an oncocytoma from a renal cell carcinoma, as the latter may also have oncocytic elements 5. Necrosis is usually absent 3

Associations

Radiographic features

Unfortunately, the imaging appearance of oncocytomas is difficult to distinguish from renal cell carcinoma, and as such, they are usually resected 5. They appear as sharply demarcated lesions of variable size, but often large at presentation. A potentially helpful sign is the presence of a sharp central stellate scar, which although characteristic of oncocytomas, is only seen in a third of cases 7. Additionally, renal cell carcinomas may also demonstrate a central scar 5

The only reliable feature is evidence of metastasis or aggressive infiltration into adjacent structures, in which case the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma can be safely made. 

It is important to carefully evaluate both kidneys, as up to 13% of patients have multiple oncocytomas (renal oncocytosis), and up to 32% have concurrent renal cell carcinomas 2

Intravenous pyelogram

Oncocytomas appear as sharply demarcated, often large exophytic masses with enhancement during the nephrographic phase. 

Ultrasound

Ultrasound demonstrates a well-circumscribed mass with echogenicity similar to the rest of the kidney. Occasionally a central scar may be visible 5

CT

Tend be large well-demarcated tumours at presentation.

Non-contrast
  • if less than 3 cm - homogenous attenuation 8
  • if more than 3 cm - heterogeneous attenuation
  • perinephric fat stranding may be present due to oedema
  • calcification may be present
Post contrast 
  • small tumours may enhance homogeneously, but usually enhancement is heterogeneous and the mass is larger
  • central stellate non-enhancing scar is seen in approximately a third of cases 7
  • renal vein thrombosis may be present, but tumour thrombus is absent
  • segmental enhancement inversion
    • two distinct segmental enhancements in the corticomedullary phase which enhancement inverses in the nephrogenic phase 9
MRI

Typical signal characteristics include:

  • T1: hypointense compared to renal cortex 10
  • T2
    • hyperintense compared to renal cortex
    • may demonstrate hypointense central stellate scar
  • T1 C+ (Gd): usually demonstrates homogeneous enhancement
Angiography (DSA)

May demonstrate a spoke wheel pattern, of peripheral circumferential vessels penetrating towards the centre of the lesion, which again, although characteristic of oncocytomas, may also be seen in renal cell carcinomas

During the capillary phase, the tumour demonstrates a homogeneous blush, similar to normal renal parenchyma, lacking the 'bizarre' vascularity typically seen in RCCs 3,5,11. A lucent avascular rim may be seen due to the compressed pseudo capsule 3

Microaneurysms have occasionally been reported 3

Treatment and prognosis

Although renal oncocytomas are benign lesions and metastases are extremely uncommon 2,12, as they cannot be confidently pre-operatively distinguished from renal cell carcinomas, they are surgically resected. If the diagnosis is suspected pre-operatively then renal sparing surgery can be performed. 

Differential diagnosis

General imaging differential considerations include

Practical points

  • biopsy may be unhelpful in distinguishing an oncocytoma from a renal cell carcinoma, as the latter may also have oncocytic elements
  • gross invasion of perirenal fat, tumoral extension into the renal vein, and regional lymphadenopathy on imaging would favour RCC instead of oncocytoma
  • -<li>biopsy may be unhelpful in distinguishing an oncocytoma from a renal cell carcinoma, as the latter may also have oncocytic elements </li>
  • +<li>biopsy may be unhelpful in distinguishing an oncocytoma from a renal cell carcinoma, as the latter may also have oncocytic elements</li>

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