Surreal digital illustration of renal myxoma.

Rare Renal Myxoma: A Medical Mystery Unveiled

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the unusual case of renal myxoma, its diagnosis, and treatment options for this uncommon tumor."

Myxoma, a rare benign tumor, commonly develops in various parts of the body like the skin, bones, and viscera. However, its presence in the kidney is exceedingly rare. When it does occur in the kidney, it typically resides in the parenchyma, with only a few cases involving the capsule.

This article sheds light on an unusual instance of renal myxoma found in a middle-aged man, adding to the limited number of cases documented in English medical literature.

By exploring this case, we aim to educate and inform readers about the nature of renal myxoma, its diagnostic process, and the management strategies employed. Join us as we delve into this medical rarity, offering insights and awareness to healthcare professionals and interested individuals alike.

Unveiling the Case: A Detailed Examination

Surreal digital illustration of renal myxoma.

The patient, a 56-year-old man with a history of hypertension, presented with vague right flank pain and hematuria. Physical examinations did not reveal any significant findings. Initial suspicions leaned toward angiomyolipoma, based on ultrasonography results indicating a hyperechoic mass in the lower pole of the right kidney. However, further investigation was necessary to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Following initial observations, an abdominopelvic CT scan provided more detailed insights, revealing a heterogeneous mass in the lower pole of the right kidney. This mass contained fatty components and showed mild enhancement after contrast administration. A partial nephrectomy was performed, and the subsequent examination revealed a mucoid tumor with a slimy appearance.

The laboratory findings at the time of admission were as follows:

Hemoglobin: 15.9g/dl
White blood cell: 4.6 × 10³/mm³
PLT: 233 × 10³/mm³
International normalized ratio (INR):1
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN):11mg/dl
Creatinine: 1.4 mg/dl
Na:142 mmol/L, K:3.7 mmol/L, PSA:2.45ngr/ml

Microscopic analysis of the tumor cells showed inconspicuous borders and oval nuclei without significant nucleoli or mitotic activity. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis as myxoma, with positive vimentin staining and negative results for cytokeratin, desmin, HMB45, S-100, and SMA. The proliferative activity, indicated by Ki-67, was negative. Six months post-diagnosis, the patient remains symptom-free, underscoring the success of the treatment.

Conclusion: Navigating the Landscape of Rare Renal Myxoma

In summary, renal myxoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor that requires careful diagnostic evaluation and management. Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT and MRI, play a crucial role in identifying and characterizing these lesions. While nephrectomy has been the standard approach due to malignancy concerns, this case highlights the potential for kidney-sparing approaches when a benign diagnosis is confirmed. Continued research and awareness are essential to optimize outcomes for patients with this rare condition.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.eucr.2018.11.015, Alternate LINK

Title: Renal Myxoma, A Case Report And Review Of The Literature

Subject: Urology

Journal: Urology Case Reports

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Mehdi Salehipour, Bita Geramizadeh, Niloofar Dastgheib, Alireza Makarem, Ardalan Asadollah Poor, Negar Taheri

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a renal myxoma?

A renal myxoma is an exceedingly rare, benign tumor that occurs in the kidney. Myxomas are more commonly found in other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, and viscera. When found in the kidney, the renal myxoma typically resides in the parenchyma, which is the functional tissue of the organ. Because of its rarity, understanding its characteristics and behavior is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Why are CT scans and other imaging so important in diagnosing renal myxoma?

Advanced imaging techniques, such as abdominopelvic CT scans and MRI, are vital in detecting and characterizing renal myxomas. In the case discussed, the CT scan revealed a heterogeneous mass in the lower pole of the right kidney, containing fatty components and showing mild enhancement after contrast administration. These imaging details, combined with clinical findings, helped guide the diagnostic process and subsequent treatment decisions. The detail from the scans can direct patient management.

What are the typical treatment options for renal myxoma and why?

The standard treatment for renal myxoma has often been nephrectomy, which involves the surgical removal of the entire kidney. This approach is typically taken due to initial concerns about potential malignancy. However, if a benign diagnosis is confirmed through thorough examination, kidney-sparing approaches, such as a partial nephrectomy, may be considered to preserve kidney function. In the case presented, a partial nephrectomy was performed, and the patient remained symptom-free six months post-diagnosis, highlighting the success of this approach.

How does immunohistochemistry help in diagnosing renal myxoma?

Immunohistochemistry plays a critical role in confirming the diagnosis of renal myxoma. This technique involves staining tumor cells to identify specific proteins. In this case, the tumor cells showed positive staining for vimentin and negative results for cytokeratin, desmin, HMB45, S-100, and SMA. The proliferative activity, indicated by Ki-67, was negative. These specific staining patterns helped confirm the diagnosis as myxoma and rule out other types of tumors.

What kind of symptoms might someone experience with a renal myxoma?

Symptoms of renal myxoma can be vague and non-specific, often leading to initial misdiagnosis. In the case described, the patient presented with right flank pain and hematuria (blood in the urine). Physical examinations did not reveal any significant findings, and initial suspicions leaned toward angiomyolipoma based on ultrasonography results. This highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluation and advanced imaging to accurately diagnose renal myxoma, as the symptoms can mimic other renal conditions.