Complementary Diagnostic Value of ZEB1 and CK7 in Renal Oncocytoma and Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Renal oncocytoma (RO) is a benign renal epithelial tumor that may closely mimic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), particularly in limited biopsy specimens. In addition, the expanding spectrum of oncocytic renal neoplasms further complicates the differential diagnosis. This study included 251 renal epithelial tumors, of which 250 were included in statistical analyses. The cohort comprised RO, chRCC, papillary RCC, clear cell RCC, collecting duct carcinoma, multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential, and a single case of eosinophilic vacuolated tumor (EVT). Tissue microarrays were constructed from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, and immunohistochemical expression of ZEB1, CK7, CD117, AMACR, CD10, GATA3, SDHB, Cathepsin K, and FH was assessed using H-score analysis. Statistical evaluation included 1-way ANOVA, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and binary logistic regression. RO demonstrated significantly higher ZEB1 expression compared with all other tumor subtypes ( P