A family case with germline TSC1 and mtDNA mutations developing bilateral eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinomas without other typical phenotype of tuberous sclerosis

Aim We examined the genetic alterations in a mother and son with multiple eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (chRCCs) showing no other features. Methods Germline DNA and bilateral renal cell carcinoma DNA were genetically analysed by whole-exome sequencing. Candidate gene alterations in the first patient’s germline were investigated in her child’s germline and the chRCCs. Results We detected several germline gene alterations in the mother. Among the identified alterations, TSC1 and mitochondrial DNA mutations were also confirmed in her son. Regarding somatic alterations in bilateral chRCCs, no common candidate gene alteration was found. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of whole-exome sequencing revealing bilateral eosinophilic chRCCs associated with tuberous sclerosis complex in a family case without classical phenotype. These results suggest that germline TSC1 and mitochondrial DNA gene mutations may be involved in the development of chRCCs in some cases.