Giant asymptomatic left renal oncocytoma in a 40-year-old man: a case report

Abstract

Renal oncocytoma is a benign tumor that arises from epithelial cells of the distal renal tubules. It is naturally presented with a small-sized mass, and giant oncocytoma is uncommon. Renal oncocytoma is frequently asymptomatic and challenging to distinguish preoperatively from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We present a 40-year-old man who presented with intermittent abdominal pain in the last two years. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large, heterogenous left renal mass measured 15 x 16 x 19.5 cm and associated with central calcifications suspected of RCC. The patient underwent a left radical nephrectomy without complication. The histopathological study revealed typical oncocytoma features. There was no detected recurrence or distant metastasis on six months follow-up. In conclusion, it is challenging to distinguish renal oncocytoma from RCC via preoperative radiology images, especially when a giant mass is present. The only histopathology examination of the removed specimen can provide a definitive diagnosis.