Extrarenal renal cell carcinoma in the adrenal region: a case report

Abstract

This case report describes a rare instance of extrarenal clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in a 48-year-old woman who presented with a loss of consciousness. Abdominal CT revealed a 24 × 31 mm mass in the left adrenal region, with no kidney involvement. The mass was surgically excised, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ccRCC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive markers, including CA9, CD10, PAX-8, and vimentin. The patient did not undergo adjuvant therapy, and a 6-month follow-up showed no signs of recurrence or metastasis. This case emphasizes the importance of considering extrarenal ccRCC in differential diagnoses of adrenal masses.

Keywords: adrenal masses; adrenal region; case report; clear cell renal cell carcinoma; extrarenal renal cell carcinoma.

Figure 1

Abdominal CT images with contrast enhancement. Coronal views (a,b) and a cross-sectional view (c) reveal a soft tissue mass in the left adrenal region, characterized by mild and uneven enhancement. (d) The follow-up cross-sectional view at 6 months postoperatively hows no evidence of tumor recurrence in the left adrenal region.

Figure 2

Microscopic examination of the tumor consistent with clear cell renal cell carcinoma: (a) at ×20 magnification and (b) at ×40 magnification. Immunohistochemical staining shows positive expression of (c) CA9 at ×40 magnification and (d) CD10 at ×40 magnification.