Distinguishing between renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma using Raman molecular imaging

Raman molecular imaging was evaluated as a tool for differentiating between kidney tumors which are sometimes confused using conventional histopathological methods. Renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma are two kidney tumors which occasionally possess overlapping histological features. There is no reliable alternative method to routine histologic examination for differentiating these neoplasms. However, a conclusive diagnosis is important, as renal oncocytoma is benign and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma has malignant potential, requiring different treatment options. In an investigation based on 88 patients, a partial least squares discriminant analysis model generated from Raman molecular images distinguished between chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and renal oncocytoma with a performance of 86% sensitivity and 81% specificity. These initial observations suggest that Raman molecular imaging may be applied not only to the differentiation of these kidney tumors but also to other applications for which conventional histological methods are not sufficient for a conclusive diagnosis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma are two different kidney cancers, with different outcomes, which are often confused using conventional histopathology. Raman molecular imaging has been shown to differentiate the two tumors with 86% sensitivity and 81% specificity, illustrated in a ROC curve with an AUROC of 0.87. Improved diagnoses of these cancers will impact patients and clinicians and lead to the application of RMI to other important diagnostic questions.