Oncocytoma is a benign tumor made up of epithelial cells called oncocytes, commonly found in the kidneys and salivary glands. It can occur anywhere on the body and is asymptomatic. However, it can develop into cancer, such as renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of adult kidney cancer.
An oncocytoma is a tumor made up of epithelial cells called oncocytes. This abnormal growth is usually associated with the kidneys and salivary glands. However, it can occur anywhere on the body. The tumor is also referred to as an oncocytic adenoma or oxyphilic adenoma.
Oncocytoma occurs in the epithelium, which is the tissue that covers the surface of organs and different parts of the body. Furthermore, it is often described as a benign tumor, meaning that it will not develop into cancer and is therefore harmless. This status places it in the adenoma category, which is a collection of benign epithelial tumors. This categorization explains the alternative term of oncocytic adenoma. The term oxyphilic adenoma comes from the fact that oncocytes are eosinophilic or “acid-loving” cells.
The most common form of oncocytoma is renal oncocytoma. Medical researchers theorize that the tumor originates from intercalated cells, which are epithelial cells found in the collecting duct system of the kidneys. Because this condition is asymptomatic, showing few or no symptoms of disease or illness, it is typically unintentionally discovered by a CT scan or ultrasound technology. When symptoms occur, they include bloody urine or hematuria; pain in the sides; and swollen abdomen.
Another common form of oncocytoma is salivary gland oncocytoma; this makes up a very small percentage of all cancers. It commonly appears in the parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands in the body. The masses are described as firm and painless, no larger than about 1.6 inches (4 cm) in size. Women in their 70s and 80s are more likely than any other group of people to get this cancer. Like abnormal growths in the kidneys, salivary gland oncocytoma is asymptomatic, although with thyroid oncocytoma in particular, the patient may have difficulty speaking or swallowing if the tumor grows larger.
Although oncocytoma is thought to be benign, oncocytes themselves have the ability to be malignant, developing into cancer as a result. In this case, the adenoma turns into carcinoma, which is the malignant form of an epithelial tumor. For example, renal oncocytoma can develop into renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of adult kidney cancer. Also known as hypernephroma, it is considered one of the deadliest cancers to contract, as it is asymptomatic in its early stages and is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. Tumors of the thyroid gland can also be malignant, and it is often difficult to distinguish a carcinoma from an adenoma.
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