Renal medullary carcinoma associated with sickle cell trait: radiologic findings

Abstract

Purpose: To correlate the radiologic and pathologic findings in patients with renal medullary carcinoma and sickle cell trait.

Materials and methods: Radiologic studies of five pathologically proved cases of renal medullary carcinoma were retrospectively correlated with gross pathologic findings. Excretory urograms, computed tomographic (CT) scans, sonograms, photographs of the gross surgical specimens, and an angiogram were available for review. Each case was analyzed for tumor location, pattern of growth, contrast enhancement and echotexture, angiographic pattern, and stage.

Results: All tumors arose centrally within the kidney, grew in an infiltrative pattern, and invaded the renal sinus. Caliectasis without pelviectasis was present in three cases. Contrast enhancement and echotexture were heterogeneous in all patients. Tumor necrosis with communication into the collecting system occurred in one patient. The one available angiogram demonstrated hypovascularity.

Conclusion: Patients with renal medullary carcinoma share particular demographic, clinical, and radiologic features that might enable radiologists to suggest a specific diagnosis.