Clinicopathologic Features of Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2017 Feb;15(1):112-116. doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2016.05.013. Epub 2016 Jun 3.

Abstract

Background: Translocation renal cell carcinomas (TFE3 RCC) are associated with variable genetic rearrangements of the TFE3 gene on chromosome Xp11.2. Translocation tumors represent 1% to 5% of all cases of RCC, with the greatest frequency among children and young adults. We sought to characterize the clinicopathologic features of translocation RCC at a Middle Eastern institution.

Materials and methods: The clinical and pathologic data from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 14 patients with translocation RCC had been diagnosed from 2005 to 2014. The outcome measures included patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, pathologic features, treatment outcomes, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival.

Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 35 years. Of the 14 patients, 5 were female. Translocation RCC was an incidental diagnosis for all but 2 of the 14 patients. The mean tumor size was 9 cm; 1 patient had bilateral tumors, and 3 presented with positive lymph nodes. Three patients underwent partial nephrectomy. Three patients had developed metastasis at 4 months, 5 months, and 3 years after diagnosis. One patent had died 4 months after surgery and one had died 21 months after surgery (both of metastases). The disease-free survival rate was 71% at a mean follow-up of 31 months.

Conclusion: Translocation RCC is a rare and potentially aggressive subtype of kidney cancer. An overall survival of > 3 years has been noted, unless metastasis is present at diagnosis.

Keywords: RCC; TFE3; Translocation RCC; Xp11.2 translocation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / surgery
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle East
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Translocation, Genetic*
  • Tumor Burden
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • TFE3 protein, human