Epithelial tumours of the adult kidney

The epithelial tumours of the adult kidney, in particular renal cell carcinoma (RCC), are a variety of neoplasms that can be classified by morphology and genotype. Although most are well characterised, typical and less typical tumour variants are recognised. There is evidence to indicate that stage is one of the most important prognostic factors, irrespective of tumour subtype. However, the appropriate handling of nephrectomy specimens is essential for accurate evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic factors in RCC. The problem of how to achieve more objective nuclear grading is still unresolved. The use of diagnostic decision support systems offers the possibility of a flexible approach to this problem, while still utilising morphological criteria. The histopathological analysis remains important, but new techniques of molecular and cell biology will be providing new tools of extraordinary power to sharpen the diagnosis and give it a biological interpretation.