1 Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignant neoplasm in adults, accounting for 2–3% of all the adult malignancy. However, it occurs rarely in children with an incidence of 0.1–0.3% of all the neoplasm and 1.8–6.3% of all the malignant renal tumours [1, 2].

The literature on paediatric RCC is lacking with no adequate therapy defined. Surgery for a localized tumour is the standard, while the role of regional lymphadenectomy, adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy is still controversial and various regimens have showed minimal activity in clinical trials [1].

Biological behaviour and prognostic factors are not well known in children with no definite protocols. The most common pathological subtype in children is papillary carcinoma as compared to clear cell carcinoma in adults. Sarcomatoid variant is extremely rare variant in adult RCC accounting for only 5% of the cases [3].

There is not much literature on the prevalence of sarcomatoid variation in paediatric RCC.

Here, we present a case of 10-year-old child presenting with an asymptomatic left flank mass.

2 Case presentation

A 10-year-old female was referred to our department with complaints of an asymptomatic left flank mass. History was unremarkable with no haematuria, flank pain, fever or episodes of increased urine output associated with pain. There was no history suggestive of hereditary syndrome in the child or family.

On examination the child showed normal developmental milestones with no genito-urinary anomalies and organ asymmetry. There was a large mass palpable in the left flank with the superior border going below the costal margin, medial border towards the umbilicus and inferior border about 9 cm below the costal margin.

Ultrasound abdomen was in concurrence with the examination finding showing a large renal mass about 10 × 9 cm in size.

The patient was then taken up for a contrast-enhanced computed tomography which showed a large circumscribed heterogeneously enhancing solid mass lesion measuring 11.0 × 11 × 9 cm in the upper and midpole of the left kidney with few tiny calcific foci (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

CT abdomen showing a large left renal mass

Full size image

Anteriorly the lesion was compressing the distal transverse colon and abutting the abdominal wall. Dilated gonadal vein was present on the left side. There was no evidence of tumour extension in the renal vessels. There was no lymphadenopathy.

CT chest was normal with no evidence of any metastatic lesions.

In view of the age of the patient, Wilms’ tumour was kept as a differential diagnosis. Wilms’ tumour of this size would have needed neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, FNAC was done which was suggestive of clear cell RCC.

The patient was taken up for left radical nephrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy. Intra-op the renal capsule was intact with no renal vein or IVC thrombus. There was no regional lymphadenopathy (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Gross specimen after radical nephrectomy

Full size image

Histopathological analysis revealed a 10 × 10 × 5.5 cm renal clear cell carcinoma in the upper and midpole of the kidney (Fig. 3). Ureteric and pelvicalyceal system margins were free of tumour with no lymphovascular or perineural invasion. There was, however, sarcomatoid differentiation of the tumour (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Microscopic picture showing clear cell carcinoma

Full size image
Fig. 4
figure 4

Microscopic picture showing sarcomatoid variation

Full size image

Ten lymph nodes were sampled, none of which showed involvement with tumour.

The pathological staging of the tumour was T2aN0M0 according to AJCC 8th edition.

Post-op the patient did well. Drain and catheter were removed on post-op days 2 and 4, and the patient was discharged on post-op day 6.

On follow-up after 2 months, the patient was well with a normal kidney function and no abnormality on abdominal ultrasound.

3 Discussion

The most common renal malignancy in childhood is Wilms’ tumour with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) being very uncommon accounting for 2–5% of all paediatric renal malignancies [4]. Renal cell carcinoma originates within the epithelium of renal tubules and may be of papillary, clear cell, chromophobe and oncocytoma morphology [5].

A large number of paediatric RCC patients have a hereditary disorder like von Hippel–Lindau disease or have a prior history of undergoing treatment for such as Wilms’ tumour or neuroblatsoma [6].

Therefore, paediatric RCC is mostly a second malignancy in children who have survived previous diseases, possibly from radiation or chemotherapy [6].

Paediatric RCC is mostly papillary type with high survival rate after treatment [5]. Predictors of poor survival like sarcomatoid differentiation, perivascular and perineural invasion are extremely rare. Radical nephrectomy with lymphadenectomy is the primary treatment modality for paediatric RCC as no studies currently support an increase in survival after the use of adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy [4].

Most patients present with an asymptomatic flank mass, while some may present with haematuria, pain and/or abdominal mass [6]. As per Children Oncology Group (COG), the use of imaging is very important in the initial assessment of paediatric RCC [6]. An ultrasound can detect a renal lesion, and a contrast-enhanced CT imaging is used to assess tumour size, extension of the mass, enhancement pattern, the presence of calcification (suggestive of RCC), lymph node enlargement, vascular invasion, neo-vascularity, the presence of an ipsilateral or contralateral lesion, and for identification of metastatic disease [6].

The most common differential diagnosis of a renal mass in a child is Wilms’ tumour with RCC occurring rarely. Both types of renal malignancies are best treated by surgical resection as a first step. The benefit of adjuvant therapy in case of paediatric RCC is still under study.

Five-year survival rate for patient with stage I is higher than 90% and 50–80% for patients with stage II and III and only 9% for patients with stage IV.

There is not much literature about the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation in paediatric age group, and this was the first such case at our institute.

4 Conclusion

In conclusion, experience with paediatric RCC is limited and further studies are necessary to develop a standard therapeutic strategy.