[Genetic aspects of renal tumors in adults]

The aetiopathogenesis of adult renal tumors is poorly understood. The specific chromosomal changes detected by the study of tumor karyotypes suggest a cascade of oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation in the course of renal carcinogenesis. These cytogenetic studies have isolated two entities: non-papillary carcinomas (clear cell and/or eosinophil carcinomas) and tubulopapillary tumors (cortical adenoma, basophil papillary carcinoma). Specific changes of the short arm of chromosome 3 are observed in 70 to 85% of cases of clear cell carcinomas, while trisomy 17 is detected in 70% of cases of tubulopapillary tumors. Cytogenetics is also able to distinguish low and high grade malignant tubulopapillary carcinomas. Limited data are available at the present time concerning oncocytomas.