Renal cell carcinoma in association with tuberous sclerosis in children.

Tuberous sclerosis, a genetically transmitted multisystem neurocutaneous disorder, is associated with renal lesions in 50% of cases. The expected lesions are angiomyolipomas or renal cysts; renal cell carcinoma has been encountered in adults who have tuberous sclerosis, but is very rare in children. The authors report the case of a 5-year-old girl with tuberous sclerosis for whom atypical computed tomography findings led to the diagnosis of renal carcinoma at an early age. This experience suggests that children with tuberous sclerosis may need earlier screening.