Review of collecting duct carcinoma with focus on clinical and pathobiological aspects

In recent years, the concept of collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) has been established. CDCs constitute about 0.4 to 2% of RCCs. Macroscopically, CDCs occur in the renal medulla. On the cut surface, they are generally firm, white or grey and poorly circumscribed. Histologically, CDCs are characterized by various cytological and histological appearances. Furthermore, desmoplastic stromal reaction around the tumor and atypical hyperplastic changes or carcinoma in situ in the adjacent medullary collecting duct are frequently observed. Histological distinction from papillary RCCs is most important, because both tumors share some structural and histochemical features, and it seems that some investigators have confused diagnostic criteria for CDCs. On the other hand, the concept of medullary carcinoma, which preferentially occurs in a black race and shows histological features similar to those of CDC, has also recently been established. Although there have been few studies on chromosomal abnormalities of CDCs and consistent abnormalities have not been identified, a recent study using microsatellite analysis has shown a high frequency (60%) of LOH in 1q32.1-32.2. Further studies are needed to elucidate the genetic characteristics of CDCs and to determine the relationship or difference between CDCs and medullary carcinomas.