Renal cell carcinoma Health Article

Definition

Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.

Alternative Names

Renal cancer; Kidney cancer; Hypernephroma; Adenocarcinoma of renal cells; Cancer - kidney

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It occurs most often in people 50 - 70 years old, and typically affects men.

The exact cause is unknown.

Risk factors include:

• Dialysis treatment
• Family history of the disease
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease (a hereditary disease that affects the capillaries of the brain)

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal urine color (dark, rusty, or brown)
• Back pain
• Blood in the urine
• Emaciated, thin, malnourished appearance
• Enlargement of one testicle
• Flank pain
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen
• Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight

• Constipation
• Cold intolerance
• Excessive hair growth in females
• Paleness
• Vision abnormalities

Sometimes both kidneys are involved. The cancer spreads easily, most often to the lungs and other organs. About one-third of patients have spreading (metastasis) at the time of diagnosis.

Signs and tests

Palpation of the abdomen may show a mass or organ enlargement, particularly of the kidney or liver. Men may have a varicocele in the testicles.

Tests include:

• Complete blood count (CBC
• IVP
• Kidney x-ray
• Liver function tests
• Renal arteriography
• Serum calcium
• SGPT and alkaline phosphatase
• Ultrasound of the abdomen and kidney
• Urine cytology
• Urine test

The following tests may be performed to see if the cancer has spread:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Bone scan
• Chest x-ray