Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, a part of the very small tubes in the kidney that transport waste molecules from the blood to the urine.

Signs and Symptoms

The classic triad of hematuria, pain, and an abdominal mass is only present in 10% of cases, and is generally indicative of more advanced disease. Today, most cases of RCC are asymptomatic and are detected incidentally on imaging for other reasons.

Causes

RCC is associated with several hereditary conditions, including Von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary leiomyomatosis and RCC, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, and hereditary papillary renal carcinoma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of RCC involves a combination of medical imaging (such as CT scanning or ultrasound), blood and urine tests, and often, a biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment options for RCC include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases, chemotherapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for RCC varies widely depending on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed.

See Also

• Kidney cancer
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome

References

Renal cell carcinoma Resources
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