Pericytic tumors of the kidney—a clinicopathologic analysis of 17 cases

The pericytic (perivascular myoid cell) family of tumors is a distinctive group of mesenchymal neoplasms encountered in superficial sites and only rarely seen in viscera. The pericytic family subtends a spectrum of lesions, namely, glomus tumors and variants; myopericytoma, including myofibroma; and angioleiomyoma. In light of the contemporary classification of pericytic lesions, we identified and reviewed 17 cases of renal pericytic tumors from the files of 6 referral centers. These tumors presented over an age range of 17 to 76 years (mean 46.7, median 53), with essentially equal male-female ratio. History of hypertension (available in 11 patients) was noted in 7 (64%), which persisted even after surgical resection, including in 2 younger patients (17 and 30 years). The tumors (1.7–11.0 cm) included glomus tumors (n = 11); glomangiomyoma (n = 1); glomus tumor with atypical features (n = 1); and angioleiomyoma (n = 1), as well as tumors showing features overlapping pericytic tumor subtypes (n = 3). The histomorphology observed in these renal examples closely resembled that of their soft tissue counterparts, a subset with symplastic changes and atypical features, and pericytic immunophenotype. Despite large size and deep site, no progression was identified during a median of 7 months follow-up (1–62 months). In context of prior reported experience, our series identifies a wide morphologic spectrum, including lesions presenting composite morphologies. Taken with the experience of others, our series further corroborates that malignant behavior is rare, and that criteria associated with aggression among soft tissue pericytic tumors may not be predictive for those in the kidney.