A patient with very early onset FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma diagnosed at age seven

Fam Cancer. 2022 Jul;21(3):337-341. doi: 10.1007/s10689-021-00268-8. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Abstract

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is caused by heterozygous germline variants in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene and is associated with increased susceptibility to cutaneous leiomyomas, uterine leiomyomas, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). HLRCC-associated RCC usually occurs in the middle age, with the median age being 40-44 years. This report describes a seven-year-old (84-month-old) male who developed a large right kidney tumor with multiple cystic lesions that contained enhanced solid components. There was no evidence of distant metastasis. The male patient underwent right nephrectomy and has been recovering well without metastasis or recurrence. Pathological examination revealed that tumor cells with relatively prominent nucleoli and surrounded by halos, were located in a limited area. Immunohistochemical staining was negative for FH. Whole-exome sequencing identified his germline variant in the FH gene and its loss of heterozygosity in the tumor. At nine years (114 months) of age, the male patient showed no recurrence of the tumor. This was the youngest-onset case of HLRCC-associated RCC to date. This report may affect the starting age for future RCC-surveillance programs for patients with HLRCC.

Keywords: Cystic renal disease; Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma; HLRCC; Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fumarate Hydratase / genetics
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Leiomyomatosis* / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Fumarate Hydratase

Supplementary concepts

  • Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer