Renal medullary carcinoma

Renal medullary carcinoma is a rare type of kidney cancer that primarily affects young adults and is associated with sickle cell trait. This cancer is aggressive and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Symptoms

The symptoms of renal medullary carcinoma can vary, but may include:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Anemia

Causes

Renal medullary carcinoma is associated with sickle cell trait. This is a condition in which a person has one abnormal hemoglobin gene and one normal hemoglobin gene. It is not the same as sickle cell disease, which is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of renal medullary carcinoma can be challenging due to its rarity. It is often diagnosed through a combination of imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, and a biopsy of the tumor.

Treatment

Treatment for renal medullary carcinoma typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment is less likely to be successful.

Prognosis

The prognosis for renal medullary carcinoma is generally poor, with a median survival time of less than a year. However, survival can vary depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer at diagnosis and the patient's overall health.

See also

• Kidney cancer
• Sickle cell trait
• Hemoglobin

Renal medullary carcinoma Resources
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