About Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
What Is Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Causes and Risk Factors of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that develops in the cells lining the small tubes within the kidney. The causes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified.
Risk factors that cannot be changed for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) include:
- Advanced age, especially after 50 years old
- Family history of kidney cancer
Risk factors that can be changed for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) include:
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- High blood pressure is associated
- Occupational exposure to certain chemicals, such as trichloroethylene
If you have concerns about your risk for RCC or any other health condition, it is best to consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
Symptoms of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. Many kidney cancers are found incidentally during imaging tests done for another reason. When symptoms do occur, they are more likely with larger or more advanced tumors and may include:
- Blood in the urine, which may look pink, red, or cola-colored, or may only be found on a urine test
- Pain in the side, lower back, or flank that does not go away and is not caused by an injury
- A lump or mass in the side, lower back, or abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue or feeling very tired
- Fever that is not caused by an infection and does not go away
- Anemia, or a low red blood cell count
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Bone pain or a persistent cough if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body
These symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not cancer, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or other medical problems. However, anyone who notices blood in the urine, persistent side or back pain, unexplained weight loss, or other concerning symptoms should contact a healthcare professional for evaluation.
How Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Is Diagnosed
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may be suspected based on symptoms, a physical exam, or imaging done for another reason. Diagnosis usually involves a combination of medical history, exam findings, lab tests, imaging tests, and, in some cases, a biopsy.
- Medical history and physical exam: A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, risk factors, medical history, and family history. During the exam, they may check the abdomen and side area for tenderness, swelling, or a mass.
- Urine tests: A urine test may be used to look for blood in the urine or other signs of a kidney or urinary tract problem.
- Blood tests: Blood tests cannot diagnose RCC by themselves, but they can provide information about kidney function, overall health, blood counts, and whether certain blood chemistry levels are abnormal.
- Imaging tests: Imaging is often central to diagnosing kidney cancer. Tests may include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the kidneys, define the size and location of a mass, and assess nearby structures.
- Biopsy: A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. A biopsy is not needed for every kidney mass, but it may be recommended when imaging results are unclear or when the results would help guide treatment decisions.
If RCC is diagnosed or strongly suspected, additional tests may be used to help determine the stage, which means how large the cancer is and whether it has spread beyond the kidney.
- CT scan: A CT scan is commonly used to evaluate kidney tumors and may help show the size of the tumor, whether it has grown into nearby tissues or blood vessels, and whether there are signs of spread.
- MRI: An MRI may be used when more detail is needed, when CT contrast dye is not appropriate, or to assess possible involvement of major blood vessels near the kidney.
- Chest imaging: A chest X-ray or chest CT may be used to check whether cancer has spread to the lungs.
- Bone scan or other imaging: These tests may be used if symptoms, lab results, or imaging findings suggest the cancer may have spread to the bones or other areas.
The tests used to diagnose and stage RCC can vary depending on a person’s symptoms, kidney function, imaging results, and overall health. A healthcare professional can explain which tests are appropriate and what the results mean for treatment planning.
Treatment Options for Renal Cell Carcinoma
The goals of treatment for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) are to prevent the spread of the cancer, preserve kidney function, and improve survival and quality of life. The recommended treatment options for RCC can vary depending on factors such as tumor size, stage, and overall health. Here are the different types of treatments and how they work to achieve these goals: of treatments and how they work to achieve these goals:
- Surgery: Surgery is often the main treatment for localized RCC. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, surgery may remove only the part of the kidney that contains the tumor, called a partial nephrectomy, or the entire kidney, called a radical nephrectomy. The goal is to remove the cancer while preserving as much kidney function as safely possible.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses medications that interfere with specific pathways cancer cells use to grow or form new blood vessels. These medicines are used most often for advanced or metastatic RCC and may also be used in certain higher-risk situations after surgery. The goal is to slow or control cancer growth.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are commonly used for advanced RCC, often alone or in combination with targeted therapy or another immunotherapy. In some people with a higher risk of recurrence after surgery, immunotherapy may also be used to help lower the chance that cancer will come back.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to damage cancer cells. It is not usually the main treatment for RCC in the kidney, but it may be used to relieve symptoms, such as pain or bleeding, or to treat cancer that has spread to areas such as the bones or brain. In select cases, specialized radiation techniques may be considered when surgery is not an option.
- Thermal ablation: Thermal ablation destroys tumor tissue using extreme temperatures, such as heat from radiofrequency or microwave energy. It may be an option for some people with small kidney tumors, especially when surgery is not recommended because of age, other health conditions, or reduced kidney function.
- Cryoablation: Cryoablation, sometimes called cryotherapy, destroys tumor tissue by freezing it. It may be considered for selected small kidney tumors, particularly when preserving kidney function is important or when a person may not be a good candidate for surgery.
Treatment decisions should be individualized based on patient characteristics and goals. Remember to consult with your healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment plan as they may involve medication dosing and potential side effects.