EAML is the least common subtype of AML. This tumor is generally regarded as one tumor type in a family of neoplasms known as perivascular epithelioid

cell tumors or “PEComas.” In addition to the classic triphasic AML with a mixture of smooth muscle, fat and blood vessels, the family of PEComas also includes MK-2206 chemical structure the myomelanocytic tumor of the falciform ligament, so-called clear cell tumor of the lung, lymphangiomyomatosis, and EAML of the liver. The corroboration of the diagnosis of EAML generally relies upon the immunohistochemical expression of a melanocyte marker—MART-1/Melan-A, Human Melanoma Black-45, or both.4 Smooth muscle actin expression is variable from one case to another; there was only minimal and quite localized staining in our case. Classic AMLs of the kidney are initially recognized at or before the age of 10 years in approximately 10%-15% of TSC cases. Individuals with TSC have multifocal AMLs measuring 4 cm or less in most cases detected in the first decade of life.2 As in our patient at 17 years of age, AMLs are known to increase in size during the adolescent years and beyond to exceed 4 cm in greatest dimension in

some cases. In addition to a size of >4 cm, another worrisome feature of the EAML is the minimal fat content or none at all so that concern about renal cell carcinoma is warranted. Recent studies of EAML, one advocating for the preferred designation of “pure” epithelioid PEComa of the kidney, have shown that these neoplasms have a malignant potential with metastatic Bcl-2 apoptosis spread to regional lymph nodes, mesentery, liver, and lungs in 5%-10% of cases.5 It is estimated that 25%-30% of all EAMLs present in the clinical setting of TSC.3 The presence of multifocal microscopic

AMLs and tubular cysts in the kidney with an EAML should raise the distinct likelihood of TSC in a patient without an established diagnosis of TSC. A distinction is made pathologically between the “pure” EAML and those EAMLs with an admixture of classic triphase AML.3 The latter “mixed” AML behaves in a nonaggressive fashion like the triphasic AML. A comprehensive clinicopathologic study of EAMLs by Nese et al5 concluded that those neoplasms Electron transport chain which were >7 cm in greatest dimension had extrarenal extension and/or renal vein invasion; a nested or gland-like pattern with carcinoma-like features correlated with malignant behavior; nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic activity, atypical mitotic figures, and necrosis were present more frequently in those EAMLs with carcinoma-like features than those tumors with a diffuse pattern of epithelioid and plump spindle cells. The EAML in our patient did not extend beyond the kidney and had a diffuse growth pattern of epithelioid cells. Minimal nuclear atypia and minimal mitotic and proliferative activity were additional favorable findings in our case. Radiographically, EAML can have a wide range of findings.