Papillary adenocarcinoma of kidney. II. Radiographic and biologic characteristics

Papillary adenocarcinoma of the kidney is an uncommon variant of renal adenocarcinomas which, on radiographic evaluation, presents characteristically as a predominantly solid, hypovascular or avascular mass. At the present time, surgery is still mandatory to distinguish this lesion from other solid renal lesions. Finally, because of its slow-growing nature, seemingly well-encapsulated appearance, and apparently more favorable biologic prognosis, these patients conceivably might be treated with less radical surgery in selected instances. As demonstrated by one of our patients (Case 1) enucleation is a reasonable alternative, particularly in patients with a solitary kidney, with compromised renal function, or in patients medically incapable of withstanding radical surgery.