Histopathological review of renal pelvic tumours of Balkan nephropathy cases from Southern Serbia

Background Urothelial tumour frequently associates with atrophied kidney pelvis in Balkan endemic nephropathy but histopathology illustration lacks both definition and immune profile for differential diagnosis from renal cell carcinoma. Methods Histology sections of anonymized archived renal tumours and associated kidney of eight local Balkan nephropathy patients were stained by haematoxylin and eosin, and immune profiles revealed by automated clinical immunohistochemistry, to refine carcinoma diagnosis and illustration. Results Two low-grade and four high-grade papillary carcinomas were diagnosed. Two cases of high-grade urothelial carcinomas with solid architecture, invasive features and aggressive biological behaviour are also described with illustrated immune profiles. Conclusion Refined pelvic tumour histopathology can now facilitate comparison across endemic areas within the Balkans and beyond. Notably, immune profiles of the present tumours correspond to those of contemporary urothelial cancers studied in Slovakia, where Balkan-like nephropathies have not been recognised. Some etiological considerations can be discussed.