Metanephric adenofibroma: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

The recent recognition of a variety of pediatric renal tumors of different biologic behavior places an ever-increasing demand on the surgical pathologist for an accurate diagnosis. Although metanephric adenofibroma is one of the rarest benign renal tumors, the clinical importance of correctly diagnosing it cannot be overemphasized because it can potentially be mistaken as Wilms' tumor. We describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of a case of metanephric adenofibroma and discuss its differential diagnosis. The neoplasm was composed of two discrete components: a major fibroblastic element and a minor immature epithelial element. The latter formed a small nodule beneath the renal capsule, which could barely be detected by magnetic resonance imaging. This subcapsular nodule, however, was slightly soft and tan and was distinctly different from the white, whorled cut surface of the main tumor. It was formed by closely packed small immature epithelial cells in a slightly edematous background, which was histologically identical to metanephric adenoma and closely resembled epithelial Wilms' tumor. Unlike Wilms' tumor, however, the epithelial cells were very bland with no mitoses. The main bulk of the tumor was formed by spindle fibroblastic cells that were cytologically similar to the spindle cells in congenital mesoblastic nephroma. The tumor, however, was well demarcated without the irregular infiltrating edges of congenital mesoblastic nephroma. In contrast to the randomly distributed epithelial element throughout the stromal component in previous reported cases of metanephric adenofibroma, our finding of the exceedingly small and discrete epithelial component expands the known histologic spectrum of the disease. In addition, the presence of such minute epithelial nodule underscores the importance of diligent pathologic examination and careful sampling of tissue for histologic examination.