Renal cell carcinoma, intimately associated with a sarcomatous component, is a rare
malignant renal tumor. There is disagreement whether these represent true sarcomas or
are sarcomatoid metaplasia.
Therefore, this sarcomatous component is at times still a troublesome problem for
pathologists. In March, 1986, we experienced a case of renal cell carcinoma associated
with rhabdomyosarcomatous component in 47 year, old woman who had a rapidly
enlarged, palpable abdominal mass. Grossly, a spherical renal cell carcinoma, 17×14×10
㎝, in upper and middle portions of the right kidney showed extension through the renal
capsule into the perirenal fat. Area of myxoid change was evident in the renal cell
carcinoma, with extensive hemorrhagic necrosis. Microscopically, in the myxoid area,
there was malignant spindle cell proliferation in which many rhabdomyoblasts showing
distinct cross striation could be demonstrated.
This rhabdomyosarcomtous component intermixed with renal cell carcinoma of clear
cell type could be also identified in the focal area.
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