The fact that cellular constituents of background renal oncocytosis exhibited L1CAM expression only in a diffuse fashion (and not checkered) and with negative LINC01187 expression indicates that renal oncocytosis either acts as an early neoplastic precursor to well-developed and clinically manifest HOT, or is an independent morphologic and clinical observation in patients with BHD. The gene discussed is L1CAM; the disease is Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.