ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report

Abstract Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC) is an extremely rare tumor and ALK-RCC that mimics mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) has been very reported only in one instance. Case presentation A 42-year-old Japanese woman wa...

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Main Authors: Keita Kai, Shohei Tobu, Shinichi Kido, Shuji Mikami, Kengo Takeuchi, Akito Dobashi, Yuki Togashi, Mitsuru Noguchi, Shinichi Aishima
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-06-01
Series:Diagnostic Pathology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-022-01238-z
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author Keita Kai
Shohei Tobu
Shinichi Kido
Shuji Mikami
Kengo Takeuchi
Akito Dobashi
Yuki Togashi
Mitsuru Noguchi
Shinichi Aishima
author_facet Keita Kai
Shohei Tobu
Shinichi Kido
Shuji Mikami
Kengo Takeuchi
Akito Dobashi
Yuki Togashi
Mitsuru Noguchi
Shinichi Aishima
author_sort Keita Kai
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC) is an extremely rare tumor and ALK-RCC that mimics mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) has been very reported only in one instance. Case presentation A 42-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of a left renal tumor measuring 5 cm in maximum dimension. She underwent a laparoscopic left nephrectomy. Histologically, the tumor formed tubular or focally papillary structures with a small amount of spindle-shaped tumor cells against the background of prominent extracellular mucin. Although the tumor cells were negative for immunohistochemistry (IHC) of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and lymph node metastasis was presented (these are atypical findings for MTSCC), we initially diagnosed the tumor as MTSCC based on its morphological characteristics with mucin deposition. However, an additional IHC analysis revealed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for ALK-IHC. In addition, TPM3 exon 8 – ALK exon 20 fusion gene was detected by RNA sequencing. The tumor was thus correctly diagnosed as ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC). Conclusions Since the use of molecular targeted therapy with an ALK inhibitor for ALK-RCC is promising, the correct pathological diagnosis of ALK-RCC is quite important. We strongly recommend that ALK-IHC be routinely performed for renal tumors with negative AMACR staining that mimic MTSCC.
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spelling doaj.art-76c9c1c5c13f489e8b7392d61b4f44f22022-12-22T03:31:07ZengBMCDiagnostic Pathology1746-15962022-06-011711510.1186/s13000-022-01238-zALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case reportKeita Kai0Shohei Tobu1Shinichi Kido2Shuji Mikami3Kengo Takeuchi4Akito Dobashi5Yuki Togashi6Mitsuru Noguchi7Shinichi Aishima8Department of Pathology, Saga University HospitalDepartment of Urology, Saga University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Pathology & Microbiology, Saga University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Pathology, National Hospital Organization Saitama HospitalDivision of Pathology, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchDivision of Pathology, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchDivision of Pathology, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchDepartment of Urology, Saga University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Pathology, Saga University HospitalAbstract Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC) is an extremely rare tumor and ALK-RCC that mimics mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) has been very reported only in one instance. Case presentation A 42-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of a left renal tumor measuring 5 cm in maximum dimension. She underwent a laparoscopic left nephrectomy. Histologically, the tumor formed tubular or focally papillary structures with a small amount of spindle-shaped tumor cells against the background of prominent extracellular mucin. Although the tumor cells were negative for immunohistochemistry (IHC) of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and lymph node metastasis was presented (these are atypical findings for MTSCC), we initially diagnosed the tumor as MTSCC based on its morphological characteristics with mucin deposition. However, an additional IHC analysis revealed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for ALK-IHC. In addition, TPM3 exon 8 – ALK exon 20 fusion gene was detected by RNA sequencing. The tumor was thus correctly diagnosed as ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma (ALK-RCC). Conclusions Since the use of molecular targeted therapy with an ALK inhibitor for ALK-RCC is promising, the correct pathological diagnosis of ALK-RCC is quite important. We strongly recommend that ALK-IHC be routinely performed for renal tumors with negative AMACR staining that mimic MTSCC.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-022-01238-zRenal cell carcinomaAnaplastic lymphoma kinaseMucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinomaCase report
spellingShingle Keita Kai
Shohei Tobu
Shinichi Kido
Shuji Mikami
Kengo Takeuchi
Akito Dobashi
Yuki Togashi
Mitsuru Noguchi
Shinichi Aishima
ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
Diagnostic Pathology
Renal cell carcinoma
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase
Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma
Case report
title ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
title_full ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
title_fullStr ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
title_full_unstemmed ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
title_short ALK rearrangement-associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a case report
title_sort alk rearrangement associated renal cell carcinoma morphologically mimicking mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma a case report
topic Renal cell carcinoma
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase
Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma
Case report
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-022-01238-z
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