Renal oncocytoma: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma

From 1968 to 1983, 254 patients underwent an operation for presumed renal cell carcinoma. In this retrospective review the pathological diagnosis was renal oncocytoma in 11 patients (4 per cent). Renal oncocytomas were present bilaterally in 2 patients, including 1 with a coexisting renal cell carcinoma. In 2 other patients the oncocytomas were multicentric. The angiographic, computerized tomographic and sonographic findings in these patients typified renal cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment comprised radical or partial nephrectomy for unilateral and bilateral lesions, respectively. Because of the benign nature, multicentricity, possible bilaterality and absence of pathognomonic radiographic features, renal oncocytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid renal masses.