Pathology of Renal and Adrenal Neoplasms

Abstract

To understand and correctly interpret the morphology of tumors of the kidneys, and in the case of malignancy the morphology of their metastases, it is of importance to know that the definite kidney of man is a true metanephros. This means it is of mesodermal origin (Hamilton and Mossmann, 1972). On the other hand, there is no doubt of the epithelial character of the tubular cells. The mesodermal origin of epithelial cells makes it understandable that in renal neoplasms epithelial and nonepithelial, e.g., mesenchymal elements, may be found, for instance in the case of Wilms’ tumor, but also in the case of adenocarcinoma of the kidney.