Vol. 7, Issue 3, Part E (2024)

Background: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), the most prevalent kidney cancer, with a death rate of 30-40% and is more common in men. Obesity, hypertension, smoking, and chronic renal disease are increasing RCC rates. Clear cell RCC is the most aggressive and common histology and molecular subtype of RCC. Study Goal: This study examines the efficacy of immunohistochemistry, specifically PAX2 and PAX8 marker expression, in diagnosing RCC and the relationship between these markers and tumour variant and grade.

Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study in Basrah used Alsadr Teaching Hospital and private laboratory data from January 2019 to December 2023. Haematoxylin and eosin staining and PAX2 and PAX8 immunohistochemistry staining were performed on nephrectomies. SPSS software was used for qualitative data analysis and Fisher's exact test for statistical significance.

Results: With a small male prevalence (52.8%), the research included 122 individuals, mostly 41-50 years old. Most RCC subtypes were clear cell (63.9%). Stage 1 (63.4%) and grade 1 (42.7%) tumours were most common. PAX8 immunohistochemistry showed 77.5% positive and PAX2 57.5%. PAX2 and PAX8 marker expression was not significantly correlated with tumour subtype or grade.

Conclusions: RCC mostly affects middle-aged people, with no significant male-to-female ratio, independent of histological subtype or grade. The most common RCC type is clear cell, followed by papillary and chromophobe. Most tumours are detected early and mild. Immunohistochemistry shows PAX2 and PAX8 positive in most RCC patients, regardless of grade or variation.