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Renal Cell Carcinoma: Pathologic and Molecular Assessment of Targets

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Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Evolution of the Classification of Renal Cell Carcinomas: Knowledge cannot be elaborated and transmitted in the form of isolated observations. For this reason, observations are grouped according to similar features, producing a classification. Classifications can differ depending on their objective and on changes in ways of thinking over time.

In cancer, the evolution of knowledge reflects the pattern observed in the general evolution of human understanding, and accordingly cancer classifications are no more than a tool that require revision and refinement from time to time based on the gradual increase in knowledge.

The microscopic characterization of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) started in the mid-nineteenth century (Delahunt and Thornton, J Urol Pathol 4:31–49, 1996) with the controversy aroused by Grawitz’s hypothesis—in 1883, Grawitz stated that alveolar (clear cell) tumors, previously considered lipomas, originated in the neoplastic transformation of adrenal cortical residues into renal cortical. One year later, he confirmed his theory when he found ectopic adrenal cortex in the renal cortex. This theory was readily opposed by Sudek, who favored a renal tubular origin. The controversy between supporters and detractors of the Grawitz theory went on for decades. The term hypernephroma was introduced in 1909 and made reference to the adrenal origin. Support for the supposed adrenal origin started to grow weaker. Oberling et al.’s ultrastructural studies (Oberling et al., Nature 186:402–403, 1960) finally brought the argument to a conclusion by demonstrating the tubular origin of RCC, in the proximal nephron.

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  1. Pathology Department, Fundacio Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, calle Cartagena 340–350, Barcelona, 08025, Spain

    Ferran Algaba M.D.

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Correspondence to Ferran Algaba M.D. .

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  1. Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Pepper Pike, Ohio, USA

    Ronald M. Bukowski

  2. Division of Hematology Oncology, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Robert A. Figlin

  3. Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA

    Robert J. Motzer

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Algaba, F. (2015). Renal Cell Carcinoma: Pathologic and Molecular Assessment of Targets. In: Bukowski, R., Figlin, R., Motzer, R. (eds) Renal Cell Carcinoma. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1622-1_2

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