File:Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Eosinophilic Variant - High Mag.jpg
The features of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) are:
- Pale staining cytoplasm.
- Periphery of cells distinct.
- Perinuclear clearing.
The oncocytic variant of ChRCC, seen above, has eosinophilic cytoplasm. The term (ChRCC oncocytic variant), etymologically, may seem self-contradictory, to readers familiar with the fact that oncocytes have eosinophilic cytoplasm; chromophobe means colour-fearing, i.e. something that does not readily take-up dyes.
The main differential diagnosis is renal oncocytoma, which like the oncocytic ChRCC has oncocytic cytoplasm, but lack perinuclear clear and has bland nuclei.