Characterization and Management of Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor: Analysis of 9 Cases and Literature Review

Aims: Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) is a rare kidney tumor. This study aimed to report the clinic features of JGCT and our treatment experience.

Methods: The medical records of 9 JGCT patients treated in our hospital from 1997 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics, immunohistochemical findings, treatments and outcomes were collected.

Results: The mean age of 9 patients was 24±8.1 years (range: 18-37). All cases had symptoms of hypertension, hyperaldosteronism, high plasma renin, high plasma angiotensin II. Four cases had hypokalemia. The renal masses were found by enhanced contrast tomography in all patients. One case received ultrasound-guided ablation and was clinically diagnosed with JGCT. Among the remaining 8 cases, 2 cases received nephrectomy while 6 underwent partial nephrectomy. The 8 cases were pathologically diagnosed with JGCT. Immunohistochemical findings showed that JGCT was positive for vimentin, CD34, and actin but negative for chromogranin A. After treatment, all the patients had normal levels of blood pressure, serum renin activity, potassium, and aldosterone. No patients had tumor progress or metastasis within a median follow-up period of 94 (range: 33-241) months.

Conclusion: Hypertension combined with hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemia secondary to high plasma renin activity are the typical symptoms of JGCT. Dynamic enhanced computed tomography (CT) is useful for identifying the tumor. Partial nephrectomy is an optimal treatment for JGCT.

Keywords: Dynamic enhanced CT; Juxtaglomerular cell tumor; kidney neoplasm; secondary hypertension.