[Histological and cytological (nucleolar) grading of renal cell carcinoma]

Cytological-nucleolar grading of carcinomas includes mitotic frequency, mean nuclear size, nuclear varibility, degree of chromasia and nucleolar frequency, the occurrence of singular or multiple, small or large nucleoli in central or peripheral location. 186 renal cell carcinomas were analysed cytologically in this respect. The results were correlated to the histological pattern, tumor stage, and grading. Renal cell carcinomas of low malignancy possess a low nucleolar frequency and small solitary nucleoli in central location. Highly malignant carcinomas are characterised by high nucleolar frequency and multiple prominent nucleoli in eccentrical position. There is no correlation between nucleolar grading and histological pattern as well as tumor stage. Therefore, the nucleolar status is helpful in grading and determination of prognosis of renal cell carcinomas.