What is clear cell carcinoma?

➢ Clear cell cancers (the most common form of renal carcinomas) usually are solitary and large when symptomatic (spherical masses 3 to 15 cm in diameter). ➢They may arise anywhere in the cortex. ➢The cut surface of clear cell renal cell carcinomas is yellow to orange to graywhite, with prominent areas of cystic softening or of hemorrhage, either fresh or old ➢ The margins of the tumor are well defined. ➢ However, at times small processes project into the surrounding parenchyma and small satellite nodules are found, providing clear evidence of the aggressiveness of these lesions. ➢As the tumor enlarges, it may fungate through the walls of the collecting system, extending through the calyces and pelvis as far as the ureter. ➢ Even more frequently, the tumor invades the renal vein and grows as a solid column within this vessel, sometimes extending in serpentine fashion as far as the inferior vena cava and even into the right side of the heart. ➢ Occasionally, direct invasion into the perinephric fat and adrenal gland may be seen