eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Oncology

Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney

Nita Seibel, MD, Senior Investigator, Pediatric Section, Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute; Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Public Health; Attending Physician, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center

Updated: Feb 11, 2009

Introduction

Background

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), an uncommon renal neoplasm of childhood, represents one of the most common tumors with "unfavorable histology" listed in the National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTSG) clinical protocols.¹ In 1970, Kidd initially recognized clear cell sarcoma of the kidney as a distinct clinicopathologic entity, noting its propensity to metastasize to bone. The distinctive histopathologic features of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney were reported simultaneously in 1978 by Morgan and Kidd,² Marsden et al,³ and Beckwith and Palmer.¹ These reports confirmed the propensity of the tumor to metastasize to bone, poor clinical outcome, and the sarcomatous nonepithelial nature of the tumor.

Pathophysiology

Unlike Wilms tumor, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney has not been associated with intralobar nephrogenic rests. In a series of 351 cases from the NWTSG that was reviewed by Argani et al, only one case of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney was associated with a perilobar nephrogenic rest.⁴ Gene expression profiles of clear cell sarcomas of the kidney suggest the cell of origin to be a renal mesenchymal cell with neural markers. Only one case has been associated with renal dysplasia, and no familial cases or syndromes have been identified in association with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. Using the fifth National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS-5) criteria for tumor staging, 25% of patients had localized stage I tumors, most patients presented with stage II (37%) or stage III (34%) disease, and only 4% of patients presented with distant metastases (see Wilms Tumor for staging information).⁵

No true bilateral primary tumors have been identified. One patient with widespread disseminated disease was noted to have a 1-cm tumor in the contralateral kidney, which was believed to be a metastasis. The most common site of metastasis at the time of presentation in patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is the ipsilateral renal hilar lymph nodes. Skip metastases to periaortic lymph nodes have been reported in patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in the presence of hilar lymph nodes that were histologically confirmed with negative results.

Only 4% of patients present with distant metastases. Bone is the most common site of metastases (15%), followed closely by lung, abdomen, retroperitoneum, brain, and liver. Unusual soft tissue sites (scalp, epidural, nasopharynx, neck, paraspinal, ovary, abdominal wall, axilla) and other sites (orbit) have been reported. Approximately 20% of documented clear cell sarcoma of the kidney metastases occurred at least 3 years after diagnosis; some occurred as long as 10 years later.

Frequency

United States

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney represents less than 3% of pediatric renal tumors. Approximately 20 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is extremely rare in infants younger than 6 months and in young adults. Most patients are aged 1-4 years. A male predominance is observed. Fifty percent of cases are diagnosed in children aged 2-3 years. Around 5% of patients have metastatic disease at presentation.

Mortality/Morbidity

In the fourth National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS-4), patients were randomized between 6 months of chemotherapy and 15 months of chemotherapy.⁶  Patients randomized to 15 months of therapy had a better outcome compared with patients who received the shorter course of chemotherapy. The 8-year relapse-free survival and overall survival were 87.8% and 87.5%, respectively, for patients receiving 15 months of chemotherapy.

Race

Whites and blacks are affected in equal numbers.

Sex

A male predominance has been noted, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.04:1.

Age

Age of presentation ranges from 2 months to 14 years, with a mean age of 36 months. The highest incidence of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is in children aged 2-3 years, in which 50% of the cases are diagnosed. A sharp decline in incidence occurs in children older than 3 years. Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is extremely rare in infants younger than 6 months and in young adults, although it has been reported. The oldest reported patient was aged 57 years.

Clinical

History

Manifestations in patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) are similar to those in patients with Wilms tumor. Patients present with an abdominal mass, which is usually identified by a caregiver or family relative who has not seen the child in some time.

Often, abdominal swelling or the presence of an abdominal mass is noticed by a parent while bathing or dressing the child. Abdominal pain, gross hematuria, fever, and hypertension are other frequent findings.

Physical

Physical findings include a large palpable unilateral abdominal mass. Patients may have accompanying findings, such as hypertension and/or hematuria (gross or microscopic), depending on the size of the tumor. Extrarenal tumors with histologic features identical to those of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney have been reported.

Causes

The histogenesis of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is unknown and appears to be unrelated to Wilms tumor. No specific chromosomal translocation has been associated with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney; a finding that generally indicates a normal karyotype. 

The origin of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney has not been established. Dysregulation of the EGFR pathway has been observed at multiple levels in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. The proto-oncogene c-kit is overexpressed in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney but is not accompanied by gene amplification or activating mutations. The t(10;17)(q22;p13) and deletion 14q have been described. Cells that have been suggested as the origin for clear cell sarcoma of the kidney include renomedullary interstitial cells, nonorgan specific mesenchymal cells, blastemal cap cells, primitive mesenchymal cells, and the cells that form the lower limbs of S-bodies. Cutcliffe et al have suggested that the cell of origin is within a renal mesenchymal cell that possesses neural markers.⁷

Differential Diagnoses

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor
Neuroblastoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Wilms Tumor

Other Problems to Be Considered

Renal cell carcinoma
Neuroepithelial tumors (eg, neuroblastoma, primary peripheral neuroectodermal tumor [PNET] of the kidneys)
Angiomyolipoma juxtaglomerular tumor
Rare primary tumors of the kidney (eg, renal lymphoma)
Teratoma
Mesoblastic nephroma
Metanephric stromal tumor (MST)
Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation in renal cell carcinoma
Primary renal sarcomas (eg, leiomyosarcomas, fibrosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney)
Sarcomas and round cell tumors
Multilocular renal cysts (cystic nephroma)
Metanephric adenoma or metanephric (nephrogenic) adenofibroma
Ossifying renal tumor of infancy
Cystic hematoma of the renal pelvis

Workup

Laboratory Studies

No specific laboratory study confirms the diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK); therefore, most testing pertains to the workup of an abdominal mass.

• CBC count: CBC counts should be performed to evaluate for evidence of anemia.
• Creatinine levels: Serum creatinine levels are tested to assess the patient's renal function.
• Standard preoperative laboratory studies: Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time should be checked in preparation for surgery, and urinalysis should be performed.

Imaging Studies

• CT scans of the chest (before surgery) and abdomen should be performed initially to define the extent of the tumor.
• Abdominal ultrasound should be performed to evaluate the status of the inferior vena cava and any gross extension into the renal vein. Tumor thrombus in the renal vein is present in approximately 5% of patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.
• Bone scan and brain CT scan or MRI are also part of the workup.

Histologic Findings

• Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney usually presents as a large unicentric mass markedly distorting or almost completely replacing the kidney. The mean diameter of measured tumors in the NWTSG series was 11.3 cm, with a range of 2.3-24 cm. The mean weight of the kidney tumor was 661 g. When an epicenter could be determined, the renal medulla was the most common location. No case of multicentric origin was identified in the NWTSG series. Sections of tumors appear grossly as tan-gray, soft, and mucoid. Cystic foci are almost universally present and occasionally represent the dominant feature, so that the diagnosis of multilocular renal cyst is made. Discrete foci of necrosis and hemorrhage may be present.
• Histologically, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney shows 3 components, namely, (1) cord cells, which are small round-to-oval cells with deceptively bland cytologic features, including mitotic figures; (2) septal cells, which are spindle-shaped cells along the fibrovascular septa (fibrovascular septa can be demonstrated more convincingly using reticulum stain); and (3) an intercellular matrix composed of mucopolysaccharide, which ranges from minute indiscernible droplets to large pools imparting the clear appearance of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.
• Depending on the amount, distribution, and variation in morphology of the 3 components, the tumor shows a classic clear cell sarcoma of the kidney pattern or the variant histologic patterns. Variant histologic patterns may also be observed in the metastases. The classic pattern usually represents the predominant pattern in most clear cell sarcoma of the kidney tumors; the patterns blend smoothly with one or more of the following variant patterns:
  • Myxoid pattern (50%)
  • Sclerosing pattern (35%)
  • Cellular pattern (26%)
  • Epithelioid pattern (trabecular or acinar type) (13%)
  • Palisading (Verocay body) pattern (11%)
  • Spindle cell pattern (7%)
  • Storiform pattern (4%)
  • Anaplastic pattern (2.6%)
• The anaplastic pattern is defined by nuclear hyperchromasia, nuclear gigantism, and atypical mitoses. Overexpression of p53 (>75% of the nuclei) has been demonstrated in 2 of 3 anaplastic clear cell sarcoma of the kidney lesions. The classic histologic pattern of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is characterized by cord cells arranged in cords, nests, or groups surrounded by thin fibrovascular septa. A moderate amount of clear intercellular matrix separates the cord cells, giving a clear appearance, hence the designation clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. The term clear cells is doubly a misnomer because the clear cell appearance is caused by loose spacing of the round or oval cord cells with intervening intercellular clear mucoid matrix and because the clear appearance may be absent in many cases.
• The diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney should be considered, even if no real or apparent clear appearance is noted in the tumor cells in an unusual renal tumor. The classic pattern described is observed at least focally in most patients. However, in a minority of cases, such as in resected tumors or in small biopsy specimens, the classic pattern is absent and only the variant pattern is seen. Therefore, the practicing pathologist must be familiar with the variant pattern.
• Unfortunately, no diagnostically useful immunohistochemical features are available. Tumor cells usually test positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, factor VIII–associated antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, desmin, S100, factor XIIIa, c-kit, polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and MAC387. Positive staining results for cytokeratin, a ₁ -antitrypsin, and a ₁ -antichymotrypsin have been described.
• Electron microscopy reveals features of primitive mesenchymal cells with abundant pale extracellular matrix, containing scant collagen fibers, and occasional septa, containing myofibroblasts or pericytes. The main contribution of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy is to exclude other diagnostic possibilities.

Staging

Staging for renal tumors is as follows:

• Stage I: The tumor is limited to the kidney and is completely resected. The renal capsule is intact, and no evidence of rupture is observed. The vessels of the renal sinus are not involved, and no evidence of tumor at or beyond the margins of resection exists.
• Stage II: The tumor extends beyond the kidney but is completely resected. Regional extension of tumor has occurred. Blood vessels outside the renal parenchyma (including those of the renal sinus) may contain tumor. Biopsy is performed on tumors (except by fine needle aspiration), or spillage of the tumor occurs before or during surgery; spillage is confined to the flank and does not involve the peritoneal surface. No evidence of tumor at or beyond the margins of resection is noted.
• Stage III: Residual tumor is nonhematogenous and is confined to the abdomen. Stage III criteria are (1) the presence of lymph nodes within the abdomen (renal hilar, para-aortic, or beyond) that demonstrate positive results for tumor, (2) the tumor penetrates the peritoneal surface, (3) the tumor implants on the peritoneal surface, (4) gross or microscopic evidence of the tumor is present after resection, (5) resection is incomplete because of involvement of vital structures, or (6) tumor spillage is not confined to the flank.
• Stage IV: Hematogenous metastases (eg, lung, liver, bone, brain) or lymph node metastases extend outside of the abdominopelvic region.
• Stage V: Bilateral renal involvement is discovered at diagnosis. Each side is staged individually using the above criteria.

Treatment

Medical Care

The approach for treating clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is different from the approach for Wilms tumor because the overall survival of children with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney remains considerably lower than that of patients with favorable-histology Wilms tumor. In the third National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS-3), the addition of doxorubicin to the combination of vincristine, dactinomycin, and radiation therapy resulted in an improvement in disease-free survival in patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.⁸

NWTS-4 showed that patients treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dactinomycin for 15 months had an improved relapse-free survival rate compared with patients treated for 6 months (87.5% vs 60.6% at 8 y).⁶ The overall survival has improved for patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney from NWTS-3 to NWTS-4 (83% vs 66.9% at 8 y). The 8-year relapse-free survival rate for localized clear cell sarcoma of the kidney stages I-III is 88%, but late relapses have been known to occur. In the NWTS-5 protocol, patients with all stages of CCSK are treated with the same regimen used in patients who have Wilms tumor with diffuse anaplasia (excluding stage I);⁸ this treatment consists of a radical nephrectomy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, vincristine, and doxorubicin for 24 weeks.

In the NWTSG series that was reviewed by Argani et al, a better prognosis was indicated in the subset of patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney that was characterized by stage I tumors in patients aged 2-4 years in whom no tumor necrosis was identified.⁴

In the current Children's Oncology Group protocol (AREN0321), all patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, except patients with stage IV, continue treatment as in NWTS-5. However, patients with stage I who undergo lymph node sampling do not undergo radiation therapy to the tumor bed. Any patient with stage I who has not undergone lymph node sampling is upstaged to stage II. Patients with stage IV undergo treatment with irinotecan and vincristine in an upfront window approach before treatment with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.

Surgical Care

At presentation, radical nephrectomy is the initial treatment of choice if the lesion is resectable. If the size or extension of the lesion is in question, a biopsy is performed, and chemotherapy is administered, followed by surgical resection after a response has been obtained.

Consultations

• Radiotherapist: Once the tumor has been resected, the tumor bed and any other sites of disease are irradiated.
• Pediatric oncologist: Primary care physicians should consult with a pediatric oncologist to determine standard and investigational treatment protocols.

Diet

No special diet is required.

Activity

Patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney are advised not to participate in contact sports, especially football. Other activity recommendations are made on an individual basis.

Medication

Patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) are treated with combination chemotherapy. The addition of doxorubicin to chemotherapeutic regimens has been shown to improve disease-free survival rates. Physicians caring for a patient with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney should consult a pediatric oncologist affiliated with a cancer center that participates in national or international trials to determine the current standard treatment protocol and to determine whether the patient is eligible for an investigational protocol.

Antineoplastic agents

Cancer chemotherapy is based on an understanding of tumor cell growth and how drugs affect this growth. After cells divide, they enter a period of growth (ie, gap 1 [G1]), followed by DNA synthesis (ie, S phase), a premitotic phase (ie, gap 2 [G2]), and, finally, mitotic cell division (ie, M phase).

The rate of cell division varies among tumors. Most lesions of common cancers increase very slowly in size compared to normal tissues, and the rate of growth may even be slower in large tumors. This difference allows normal cells to recover more quickly from chemotherapy than malignant cells, and provides the rationale behind current cyclic dosage schedules.

Antineoplastic agents interfere with cell reproduction. Some agents are cell cycle specific, while others (eg, alkylating agents, anthracyclines, cisplatin) are not phase specific. Cellular apoptosis (ie, programmed cell death) is also a potential mechanism in many antineoplastic agents.

Refer to the specific protocols for duration of therapy with each drug and timing of administration within each treatment cycle.

Vincristine (Oncovin)

A vinca alkaloid that inhibits cellular mitosis by inhibiting intracellular tubulin function, binding to microtubules, and inhibiting the synthesis of spindle proteins.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

Weeks 1, 2, 4-8, 10, and 11:
<30 kg: 0.05 mg/kg IV push
>30 kg: 1.5 mg/m²; not to exceed 2 mg/dose
Weeks 13, 18, and 24:
<30 kg: 0.067 mg/kg IV push
>30 kg: 2 mg/m²; not to exceed 2 mg/dose

Interactions

Acute pulmonary reaction may occur when taken concurrently with mitomycin-C; asparaginase, CYP450 3A4 inhibitors (eg, itraconazole, quinupristin/dalfopristin, sertraline, ritonavir), CSF (eg, sargramostim, filgrastim), or nifedipine increase toxicity; CYP450 3A4 inducers (eg, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin) may decrease effects

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; IT administration may cause death

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Caution in severe cardiopulmonary disease, hepatic impairment (adjust dose), or preexisting neuromuscular dysfunction; may increase conjugated bilirubin

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex)

Inhibits topoisomerase II and produces free radicals, which may cause the destruction of DNA. The combination of these 2 events can, in turn, inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

Day 0, weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24:
<30 kg: 1.5 mg/kg IV
>30 kg: 45 mg/m²
Note: Dose at week 6 should be decreased by 50% if whole lung or whole abdomen radiotherapy is administered

Interactions

May decrease phenytoin and digoxin plasma levels; phenobarbital may decrease plasma levels of doxorubicin; cyclosporine may induce coma or seizures; mercaptopurine increases toxicity of doxorubicin; cyclophosphamide increases cardiac toxicity of doxorubicin

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; severe heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and impaired cardiac function; preexisting myelosuppression

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Irreversible cardiac toxicity and myelosuppression may occur; extravasation may result in severe local tissue necrosis; reduce dose in patients with impaired hepatic function

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)

Chemically related to nitrogen mustards. As an alkylating agent, the mechanism of action of the active metabolites may involve cross-linking of DNA, which may interfere with growth of normal and neoplastic cells.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

Weeks 3, 9, 15, and 21:
<30 kg: 14.7 mg/kg/d IV for 5 d
>30 kg: 440 mg/m²/d IV for 5 d
Weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24: Administer according to weight as above for 3 d

Interactions

Allopurinol may increase risk of bleeding or infection and enhance myelosuppressive effects; may potentiate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity; may reduce digoxin serum levels and antimicrobial effects of quinolones; toxicity may increase with chloramphenicol; may increase effect of anticoagulants; coadministration with high doses of phenobarbital may increase leukopenic activity; thiazide diuretics may prolong cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia; coadministration with succinylcholine may increase neuromuscular blockade by inhibiting cholinesterase activity

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity; severely depressed bone marrow function

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Regularly examine hematologic profiles (particularly neutrophils and platelets) to monitor for hematopoietic suppression; regularly examine urine for RBCs, which may precede hemorrhagic cystitis

Etoposide (Toposar, VePesid, VP-16)

Inhibits topoisomerase II and causes DNA strand breakage causing cell proliferation to arrest in late S or early G2 portion of the cell cycle.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

Weeks 3, 9, 15, and 21:
<30 kg: 3.3 mg/kg/d IV for 5 d
>30 kg: 100 mg/m²/d IV for 5 d

Interactions

May prolong effects of warfarin and increase clearance of methotrexate; cyclosporine and etoposide have additive effects in cytotoxicity of tumor cells

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Precautions

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Bleeding and severe myelosuppression may occur

Uroprotective antidote

Mesna is a prophylactic detoxifying agent used to inhibit hemorrhagic cystitis caused by ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide.

In the kidney, mesna disulfide is reduced to free mesna. Free mesna has thiol groups that react with acrolein, the ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide metabolite considered responsible for urotoxicity.

Mesna (Mesnex)

Inactivates acrolein and prevents urothelial toxicity without affecting cytostatic activity. Dose is dependent on dose of ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide, typically 60-100% of the antineoplastic agent used. May be administered as an initial bolus followed by IV continuous infusion or as intermittent IV infusions before and following chemotherapy regimen.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

Begin administration following cyclophosphamide
Weeks 3, 9, 15, and 21:
<30 kg: 3 mg/kg/dose IV over 15 min q3h for 4 doses/d for 5 d
>30 kg: 90 mg/m²/dose IV over 15 min q3h for 4 doses/d for 5 d
Weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24: Administer according to weight as above for 3 d

Interactions

May increase warfarin effects, adjust dose according to INR target

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Precautions

Pregnancy

B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals

Precautions

Monitor morning urine for hematuria before ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide dose; common adverse effects include hypotension, headache, GI tract toxicity, and limb pain

Colony-stimulating growth factors

These act as a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates the development of granulocytes. They are used to treat or prevent neutropenia in patients receiving myelosuppressive cancer chemotherapy and to reduce the period of neutropenia associated with bone marrow transplantation. They are also used to mobilize autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells for bone marrow transplantation and to manage chronic neutropenia.

Filgrastim (Neupogen, G-CSF)

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor that activates and stimulates production, maturation, migration, and cytotoxicity of neutrophils.

Dosing

Adult

Pediatric

5 mcg/kg/d SC beginning 24 h after the last dose of chemotherapy, administered until ANC >10,000/mcL and beyond nadir for myelosuppression or minimum of 1 wk

Interactions

Do not use 12-24 h before or 24 h after administering cytotoxic chemotherapy because increases sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia in certain patients; leukocytosis; possible tumor growth

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

• Pediatricians often refer patients with an abdominal mass to a pediatric general surgeon or urologist (if a known renal mass is present). These specialists should involve pediatric oncologists preoperatively. Chest CT scans should be obtained before surgery to eliminate confusion regarding areas of atelectasis that may be difficult to separate from metastases. In addition, if abnormal findings are revealed on chest CT scans, a biopsy of lung tissue can be planned at the time of surgery.
• Chemotherapy may be administered on an outpatient (depending on the facilities) or inpatient basis.
• Fever and neutropenia may occur, requiring hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and monitoring.

Further Outpatient Care

• After completing chemotherapy, patients should continue to have regular blood work and radiographic scans on an outpatient basis, which decreases in frequency over time. The ideal follow up schedule has not been established particularly for the length of follow up. Generally, these visits occur every 1-3 months for the first year, every 3-6 months for the second and third years, then yearly thereafter. Investigators in Europe and in North America have reported an increase in number of CNS recurrences of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK). The brain should be routinely scanned with other areas (such as lungs).
• Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney tumors are associated with late recurrence; the most common site of recurrence is the brain and then the lung. Unlike Wilms tumors, patients remain at risk for recurrence after 2 years posttherapy. Tumors may recur as long as 10 years after completion of treatment. However, with the recent treatment approaches, most recurrences occur within 3 years of the completion of therapy.
• Treatment of patients with recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney depends on initial therapy. Cyclophosphamide and carboplatin should be considered if not used initially. Patients with recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney that involves the brain have responded to treatment with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE), coupled with local control consisting of either surgical resection and/or radiation.  Patients with recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney should be considered for treatment on available pediatric phase I and phase II clinical trials.
• Patients require follow-up evaluation in a late-effects clinic and monitoring with appropriate tests because they have a single kidney. Patients are assessed for toxic effects resulting from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both. Follow-up visits should include renal, psychosocial, cardiac, and hormonal evaluations.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is indicated in patients who have undergone irradiation therapy to the lung. This should continue throughout the course of treatment and for 6 months posttherapy.

Transfer

• Although the major therapy for cancer should occur at a center staffed by pediatric oncologists, referring physicians should continue to play an important role in the child's care throughout treatment. The referring physician can be critical in performing the first evaluation of an illness, particularly if the child lives far from the oncology center.
• Patients may be referred to pediatric general surgeons and urologists.

Deterrence/Prevention

• No preventive measures for childhood cancers currently are known.

Complications

• Cardiomyopathy results primarily from anthracycline (doxorubicin) use. Patients should obtain routine follow-up echocardiograms after the completion of therapy.
• Patients are at risk for renal failure because they have a single kidney.
• Radiation effects have decreased but, in the past, have consisted of asymmetry of the muscle mass in the back.
• Secondary malignant neoplasms may arise as a result of chemotherapy (particularly alkylating agents in combination with radiotherapy).
• Infertility may occur as a result of the alkylating agents.

Prognosis

• Patients who have stage I tumors, are aged 2-4 years, and have no tumor necrosis tend to have a better prognosis.
• Patients who present with distant metastases or multifocal disease have a poor prognosis, with a 50% long-term 6-year survival rate.
• Treatment with doxorubicin has resulted in a 66% reduction in the tumor-related mortality rate.

Patient Education

• Parents and patients must undergo formal chemotherapy instruction to learn about the adverse effects of medication. They must be encouraged to call with any questions and to become educated regarding the expectations of chemotherapy.
• Parents must be taught regarding flushing schedules and how to maintain and care for the central venous catheter if it exits the skin and the procedure to follow if the patient develops a fever.
• Patients who have undergone abdominal surgery are at risk for developing intestinal obstructions or scar tissue related to the surgery. Families must be educated to call when abdominal pain or vomiting develop that are not related to an infectious cause. All members of the pediatric oncology team also must have a heightened awareness of the risk of obstruction in these patients so that an abdominal radiograph is obtained if any suggestion of obstruction exists.
• For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Cancer and Tumors Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Renal Cell Cancer.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

• Failure to accurately stage the disease in the patient, particularly using preoperative ultrasonography of the inferior vena cava
• Failure to make the correct diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney using pathologic analysis of biopsy or resected tumor specimens
• Failure to monitor patients appropriately and closely for toxicities of treatment
• Failure to identify a bowel obstruction and to treat it in a timely and appropriate manner

Multimedia

Media file 1: Large right-sided heterogeneous renal mass in a 9-month-old infant. Biopsy findings were consistent with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.

Media file 2: Recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney occurring in a lymph node 18 months after therapy.

References

1. Beckwith JB, Palmer NF. Histopathology and prognosis of Wilms tumors: results from the First National Wilms' Tumor Study. Cancer. May 1978;41(5):1937-48. [Medline].

2. Morgan E, Kidd JM. Undifferentiated sarcoma of the kidney: a tumor of childhood with histopathologic and clinical characteristics distinct from Wilms' tumor. Cancer. Oct 1978;42(4):1916-21. [Medline].

3. Marsden HB, Lawler W, Kumar PM. Bone metastasizing renal tumor of childhood: morphological and clinical features, and differences from Wilms' tumor. Cancer. Oct 1978;42(4):1922-8. [Medline].

4. Argani P, Perlman EJ, Breslow NE, et al. Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: a review of 351 cases from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group Pathology Center. Am J Surg Pathol. Jan 2000;24(1):4-18. [Medline].

5. Seibel NL, Sun J, Anderson JR, et al. Outcome of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) treated on the National Wilms Tumor Study-5 (NWTS). [Abstract. J Clin Oncol(Supplement 18). 2006;24:A9000.

6. Seibel NL, Li S, Breslow NE, et al. Effect of duration of treatment on treatment outcome for patients with clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group. J Clin Oncol. Feb 1 2004;22(3):468-73. [Medline].

7. Cutcliffe C, Kersey D, Huang CC, et al. Clear cell sarcoma of kidney: up-regulation of neural markers with activation of the sonic hedgehog and Akt pathways. Clin Can Res. 2005;11:7986-7994. [Medline]. [Full Text].

8. Green DM, Breslow NE, Beckwith JB, et al. Treatment of children with clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group. J Clin Oncol. Oct 1994;12(10):2132-7. [Medline].

9. Amin MB, de Peralta-Venturina MN, Ro JY, et al. Clear cell sarcoma of kidney in an adolescent and in young adults: a report of four cases with ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and DNA flow cytometric analysis. Am J Surg Pathol. Dec 1999;23(12):1455-63. [Medline].

10. Balarezo FS, Joshi VV. Clear cell sarcoma of the pediatric kidney: detailed description and analysis of variant histologic patterns of a tumor with many faces. Adv Anat Pathol. Mar 2001;8(2):98-108. [Medline].

11. Brownlee NA, Perkins LA, Stewart W, et al. Recurring translocation (10;17) and deletion (14q) in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Mar 2007;131(3):446-51. [Medline].

12. Charles AK, Vujanic GM, Berry PJ. Renal tumours of childhood. Histopathology. Apr 1998;32(4):293-309. [Medline].

13. Jones C, Rodriguez-Pinilla M, Lambros M, et al. c-KIT overexpression, without gene amplification and mutation, in paediatric renal tumours. J Clin Pathol. Nov 2007;60(11):1226-31. [Medline].

14. Little SE, Bax DA, Rodriguez-Pinilla M, et al. Multifaceted dysregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. Clin Cancer Res. Aug 1 2007;13(15 Pt 1):4360-4. [Medline].

15. Punnett HH, Halligan GE, Zaeri N, Karmazin N. Translocation 10;17 in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. A first report. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. Aug 1989;41(1):123-8. [Medline].

16. Radulescu VC, Gerrard M, Moertel C, et al. Treatment of recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney with brain metastasis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. Feb 2008;50(2):246-9. [Medline].

17. Rakheja D, Weinberg AG, Tomlinson GE, et al. Translocation (10;17)(q22;p13): a recurring translocation in clear cell sarcoma of kidney. CancerGenet Cytogenet. 2004;154:175-9. [Medline].

18. Sebire NJ, Vujanic GM. Paediatric renal tumours: recent developments, new entities and pathological features. Histopathology. Aug 11 2008;[Medline].

Keywords

clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, CCSK, bone-metastasizing renal tumor, renal sarcoma, clear cell cancer, kidney cancer, kidney sarcoma, renal cancer, renal dysplasia, hypertension, hematuria

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Nita Seibel, MD, Senior Investigator, Pediatric Section, Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute; Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Public Health; Attending Physician, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center
Nita Seibel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vice-Chair of Research, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and California Nanosystems Institute and Molecular Biology, UCLA
Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Pediatric Research, and Western Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Timothy P Cripe, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati; Director, Translational Research Trials Office, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Timothy P Cripe, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Samuel Gross, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina; Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University
Samuel Gross, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Director, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Pediatrics, Georgetown University
Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

© 1994- by Medscape.
All Rights Reserved
(http://www.medscape.com/public/copyright)