Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, raising concerns about delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluated whether renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnosed after the pandemic showed more advanced pathological features at presentation. Methods: This retrospective study included all partial and radical nephrectomy specimens with a histopathological diagnosis of RCC examined between March 2018 and February 2023, stratified into pre-COVID (2018–2020), COVID (2020–2021), and post-COVID (2021–2023) periods. Pathological variables were compared using Pearson’s χ² and Kruskal–Wallis tests; odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with Holm-Bonferroni correction, and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, tumor size, residence, and histological subtype, was performed for high pathological stage and vascular invasion. Results: A total of 297 RCC cases were included (121 pre-COVID, 46 COVID, 130 post-COVID). Post-COVID tumors more frequently showed advanced pathological stage (61.5% vs. 41.3% and 34.8%; p < 0.001) and vascular invasion (56.9% vs. 29.8% and 34.8%; p < 0.001) than pre-COVID and COVID tumors. These associations survived Holm-Bonferroni correction, except for the post-COVID vs. COVID vascular invasion comparison. Both associations remained significant, and numerically stronger, after multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.61–5.25 for stage; adjusted OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.11–6.83 for vascular invasion). WHO/ISUP grade, tumor necrosis, and sarcomatoid/rhabdoid differentiation did not differ significantly among periods. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a temporal association between the post-pandemic period and more advanced RCC at surgery, independent of age, sex, tumor size, residence, and histological subtype. These findings are consistent with, though do not establish, pandemic-related delays in diagnosis and treatment as a contributing factor, underscoring the need for studies incorporating institutional healthcare-utilization and outcome data.

Background and Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibits heterogeneous and sometimes unpredictable metastatic behavior, involving both common and uncommon anatomic sites. Institutional analyses of histopathologically confirmed metastatic RCC may improve diagnostic recognition and clinical awareness. This study aimed to characterize the metastatic distribution and histopathologic features of RCC diagnosed in a single tertiary center over a five-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the pathology database of the Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” Emergency County Hospital, Timișoara, was performed to identify all histologically confirmed cases of metastatic RCC diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2024. Case identification was based on pathology reports of metastatic lesions. In a subset of cases, corresponding pathology reports of the primary renal tumor were available and reviewed. Histopathological data collected included WHO/ISUP grade, tumor necrosis, sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid differentiation, vascular invasion, surgical margin status, tumor size, and pathological T stage (pT). Exploratory analyses were performed to assess associations between metastatic site and selected histopathological features. Results: Thirty-two cases of metastatic RCC were identified, all demonstrating clear cell morphology. The mean patient age was 62.9 years, with a marked male predominance. Among cases with available primary tumor data, high WHO/ISUP grade and adverse histopathologic features were frequently observed. The most common metastatic sites in our institution were the brain and bone, followed by the adrenal gland, lymph nodes, and liver. Less frequent metastatic involvement included the pancreas, testis, vagina, skin, and peritoneum. Exploratory analyses did not demonstrate statistically significant associations between metastatic site and tumor grade, necrosis, or sarcomatoid/rhabdoid differentiation; however, descriptive trends were observed, including the association of brain metastases with high-grade tumors and the high prevalence of tumor necrosis across metastatic sites. Conclusions: This pathology-based retrospective series highlights the broad metastatic spectrum of RCC, including both typical and rare anatomic sites. The predominance of clear cell morphology and the frequent association with adverse histopathologic features support the link between aggressive tumor biology and metastatic disease. Although no statistically significant associations were identified, the observed patterns suggest potential relationships between metastatic distribution and tumor characteristics, warranting further investigation in larger studies.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to identify the risk factors of primary cutaneous melanomas associated with microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients diagnosed with invasive primary cutaneous melanomas in two pathology departments. The cases were distributed into two groups, comparing the clinical–pathological features of cases that presented microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases with cases that did not present microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases. Results: From the total number of primary invasive cutaneous melanomas diagnosed (n = 204), 22% presented microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases (n = 46). The presence of microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases was strongly correlated with a Breslow index > 4 mm, a Clark level of IV or V, and a pT3 or pT4 pathological stage (p < 0.0001). Those cases were also associated with lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.0013), ulceration of the primary melanoma (p = 0.0037), and an increased mitotic rate (p = 0.0078). The presence of microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases is associated with higher rates of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0006) and recurrence (p = 0.0282). Conclusions: The most important risk factors associated with microsatellites, satellites, and in-transit metastases are represented by a Breslow index > 4 mm, a Clark level of IV or V, and an advanced pathological stage.

Aim: This study aimed to identify the clinical and pathological features of primary cutaneous melanomas in young patients, comparing them with those of older patients. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study observing the differences with respect to clinical and pathological features in young patients versus older patients. We distributed the cases into two groups: patients < 40 years diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma and patients ≥ 40 years diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma. Results: From the total number of primary cutaneous melanomas diagnosed, 11% of cases were represented by young patients. The clinical and pathological features more frequently associated with cutaneous melanomas in AYAs (adolescents and young adults) were represented by the superficial spreading subtype (p = 0.0003), a brisk inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.0061), a pT1–pT2 pathological stage (p = 0.0183), decreased mitotic activity (p = 0.0186), decreased Breslow index (p = 0.0301), and female sex (p = 0.022). Conclusions: The most important features of cutaneous melanomas diagnosed in AYA patients were represented by the superficial spreading subtype, the presence of a brisk inflammatory infiltrate, and a pT1–pT2 pathological stage.