Fumarate Hydratase-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma—A Clinicopathological Study of a Series of 11 Cases

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare, molecularly defined renal tumor with aggressive behavior. The diagnosis of these tumors is challenging because of varied morphology and limited access to molecular testing and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for FH and 2-succinocysteine. We aim to elucidate the histomorphology, clinical presentation, and follow-up of this tumor in this first series of cases of FH-deficient RCCs from India. Objectives This article aims to understand and elucidate the clinical presentation, pathologic findings, treatment options, and outcomes of FH-deficient RCC. Materials and Methods Diagnosed cases of FH-deficient RCC between January 2021 and January 2023 including clinical details were retrieved from the electronic medical record database. Histopathological and immunohistochemical slides were reviewed. Results Out of 11 cases of FH-deficient RCC, 36% had been referred with a diagnosis of type 2 papillary RCC. One patient presented with metastatic disease. All had mixed histologic patterns with the predominant pattern being papillary and showed FH loss on IHC. The classically described inclusion like nucleoli was present only focally in most cases. A subset of tumors had low-grade solid-nested morphology and these patients presented at an earlier stage (T2a). Two patients on multikinase inhibitors are alive with disease at 14 months' follow-up. Conclusion FH-deficient RCCs can have varied histologic patterns within the same tumor and show loss of FH expression by IHC. A subset has low grade morphology and tends to have a more indolent course. It is important to have a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis due to its varied histological appearance and aggressive behavior.