Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Kidney

Definition

Neoplasms occurring within the renal parenchyma showing neuroendocrine differentiation by morphology and immunohistochemistry.

Kidney neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation include:

• Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid and atypical carcinoid tumor)

• Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

• Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Clinical Features

• Incidence

  Neuroendocrine tumor in the kidney is an uncommon neoplasia. The most common neuroendocrine tumor in renal parenchyma is carcinoid (Lane et al. 2007; Hansel et al. 2007). For small cell carcinoma, primary tumor of renal pelvis and metastases should be rule out. Up to 20% of primary renal carcinoids have been reported in “horseshoe” kidneys.

• Age

  The majority of the cases have been reported in the fourth to seventh decade.

• Sex

  No gender predominance.

• Site

  No specific site in the kidney.

• Treatment

  Surgical treatment in patients with gross hematuria and abdominal pain

• Outcome

  The outcome depends on prognostic...