Occult Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Hee Jung Kwon1, Phil Hyun Song1, Mi Jin Gu1

  • 11 Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea.

Insights

This case report details an uncommon instance of occult Langerhans cell histiocytosis discovered within clear cell renal cell carcinoma in a 62-year-old man. Further examination revealed no other signs of this rare dendritic cell proliferation disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pathology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal proliferative disease of Langerhans dendritic cells.
  • LCH presents with diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from localized to systemic involvement.
  • The association between LCH and renal cell carcinoma is exceedingly rare.

Observation:

  • A 62-year-old male presented with a renal mass, diagnosed as clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
  • Histopathological examination revealed a distinct nodule of atypical mononuclear cells with eosinophils within the renal tumor.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed these cells as Langerhans cell histiocytes, positive for S-100 and CD1a.

Findings:

  • The study identified an unusual co-occurrence of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
  • The LCH was occult, presenting as an incidental finding within the renal tumor.
  • Comprehensive follow-up evaluations did not reveal any other systemic lesions of LCH.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of thorough histopathological evaluation, especially in rare tumor co-occurrences.
  • The findings may prompt further investigation into potential shared pathways or associations between LCH and renal neoplasms.
  • Recognizing this rare association is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management.