Eosinophilic cytoplasm is the most common finding of difficult-to-classify kidney tumors. Morphology, cytogenetics, and immunohistochemical stains are discriminatory. This review compares well-recognized tumors such as granular clear cell carcinoma, papillary variants, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and oncocytoma and introduces newly described entities of hybrid oncocytic tumors, carcinomas defined by translocations, and carcinomas with deficiencies in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The focus is on immunostaining, clinical correlations, and differential diagnoses. Representative examples of some entities are presented with elaboration on their workup.
To provide a review of the differential diagnoses for renal neoplasms with eosinophilic cytoplasm and elaborate on methods that may assist with correct identification.
Review of current literature on kidney tumors with eosinophilic cytoplasm, as well as the authors' personal experience.
Eosinophilic cytoplasm is a feature shared by many kidney tumors. Understanding the morphologic differences and the role of ancillary studies is key when encountering such a tumor.