Collecting duct carcinoma with long survival treated by partial nephrectomy

A case is reported of collecting duct carcinoma of the left kidney treated with partial nephrectomy. A 57-year-old woman presented for evaluation of the left renal mass, which was detected by screening ultrasonography. A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a solid mass at the upper pole of the left kidney. The renal tumor biopsy revealed a low-grade renal cell carcinoma or a tubulopapillary adenoma. Subsequently, left partial nephrectomy was performed. Microscopically, the tumor showed tubulopapillary proliferation with a fibrous capsule. Histochemically, the tumor cells reacted with lectins or antibodies against the collecting duct. Twenty-four months after partial nephrectomy, the patient is alive and has no distant metastatic lesions. We review the literature on collecting duct carcinoma, in addition to the case of partial nephrectomy.