renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that originates in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney [7]. It is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of neoplasms in adults [4]. RCC symptoms can include blood in your urine (hematuria), flank pain, a palpable mass, and fever of unknown origin (FUO) [9].

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine. Kidney cancer develops when cells in your kidneys change and grow out of control [6]. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney [7].

The causes of renal cell carcinoma are not well understood, but it is believed to be related to genetic mutations. Treatment options for RCC include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and targeted therapy [5]. Early detection and treatment can improve survival rates.

References: [4] - Renal cell carcinoma (see the image below) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It accounts for approximately 85% of neoplasms ... [5] - Oct 11, 2024 — Renal cell cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and targeted therapy. [6] - by I Stage — Kidney cancer develops when cells in your kidneys change and grow out of control. People with kidney cancer may notice flank pain, high blood pressure, ... [7] - Mar 31, 2024 — Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney. [9] - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal cancer. Symptoms can include hematuria, flank pain, a palpable mass, and fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can manifest in various ways, and identifying its signs and symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment.

Common symptoms of RCC include:

• Flank pain or a dull ache in the side or lower back [3]
• Tiredness or feeling fatigued [1][3]
• Loss of appetite [1]
• Blood in urine (hematuria) [4][6]
• A palpable mass or lump in the abdomen [4]
• Fever of unknown origin (FUO) [4]

Other possible symptoms:

• Bone pain [3]
• High blood pressure [3]
• Anemia [3]
• High calcium levels in the blood [3]
• Swelling of ankles and legs [5]
• Low back pain on one side [7]
• Losing weight for no clear reason [7]

It's essential to note that RCC often doesn't cause symptoms, especially in its early stages. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References: [1] - Context result 1 [2] - Context result 2 [3] - Context result 3 [4] - Context result 4 [5] - Context result 5 [6] - Context result 6 [7] - Context result 7

Diagnostic Tests for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that can be diagnosed using various diagnostic tests. Here are some of the common tests used to diagnose RCC:

• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound are commonly used to detect tumors in the kidneys. These tests can help identify the size, location, and characteristics of the tumor [1][2].
• Blood Tests: While there is no specific blood test that can diagnose RCC, a complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) may be ordered to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms [3].
• Urine Tests: Urine tests may also be performed to check for any abnormalities in the urine that could indicate kidney cancer [4].
• Kidney Biopsy: A kidney biopsy may be performed to obtain a tissue sample from the tumor, which can then be examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis of RCC [5].

Characterizing Renal Masses

Imaging tests such as CT and MRI are used to characterize renal masses, which are growths in the kidneys that can be benign or malignant. These tests must be performed unenhanced, in an early arterial phase, and in a parenchymal phase to accurately diagnose RCC [5].

Staging of Renal Cell Cancer

Contrast-enhanced CT scanning has become the imaging procedure of choice for diagnosis and staging of renal cell cancer [8]. This test helps determine the extent of the disease and guide treatment decisions.

References:

[1] Context 1: May 1, 2024 — Tests for Kidney Cancer [2] Context 5: Computed tomography or MRI are used to characterise renal masses. [3] Context 3: Blood tests. There is no blood test that can diagnose kidney cancer. [4] Context 4: Aug 17, 2024 — Kidney cancer diagnosis often begins with a physical exam and a discussion of your health history. Blood and urine tests as well as imaging ... [5] Context 5: Computed tomography or MRI are used to characterise renal masses. [6] Context 6: Our kidney cancer diagnosis team provides fast diagnoses with precise renal ultrasound, biopsy, and diagnostic testing to uncover details others may miss. [7] Context 7: Apr 17, 2023 — Tests done to diagnose renal cell carcinoma​​ Providers use imaging tests to identify tumors and plan treatment. The most common tests include: [8] Context 8: Mar 21, 2023 — Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning has become the imaging procedure of choice for diagnosis and staging of renal cell cancer ...

Treatment Options for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Renal cell carcinoma, also known as kidney cancer, can be treated with various drugs depending on the stage and severity of the disease. Here are some of the most common treatment options:

• Targeted Therapy: Most targeted drugs used to treat RCC work by blocking proteins called tyrosine kinases inside cancer cells that normally help them grow and divide [2]. Examples of targeted therapy drugs include:
  • Afinitor (Everolimus)
  • Avastin (Bevacizumab)
  • Sunitinib
  • Pazopanib
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. For RCC, immunotherapy drugs such as:
  • Nivolumab (Opdivo) with ipilimumab (Yervoy)
  • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
• Other Treatment Options: Other treatment options for RCC include:
  • Surgery: Radical nephrectomy, cytoreductive nephrectomy, and metastasectomy are surgical procedures that can be used to treat RCC [7].
  • Adjuvant therapy after metastasectomy: This involves using additional treatments such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy to help prevent the cancer from coming back.

Recent Developments

In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved belzutifan (Welireg) for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma [6]. Additionally, a study published in 2011 highlighted the expanded list of treatment options available for RCC, including sorafenib, temsirolimus, and everolimus [8].

Commonly Prescribed Medications

According to a study on medication use among adults in the United States, the most commonly prescribed medications for RCC include: + HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (15% of patients) + Narcotic analgesic combinations (10% of patients) + Benzodiazepines (17% of patients)

Note: The above information is based on a summary of search results and may not reflect the most up-to-date or comprehensive information available.

Differential Diagnosis of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in appearance to other renal masses. The differential diagnosis of RCC includes several conditions that must be ruled out before making an accurate diagnosis.

Possible Differential Diagnoses:

• Oncocytoma: A benign tumor of the kidney that can be difficult to distinguish from RCC based on imaging alone [1].
• Angiomyolipoma (AML): A type of benign kidney tumor that is composed of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and fat cells. It can be challenging to differentiate from RCC using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [6].
• Metanephric adenoma: A rare, benign tumor of the kidney that can mimic RCC in appearance.
• Metastatic disease: Cancer that has spread to the kidneys from another part of the body.
• Lymphoma: A type of cancer that affects the immune system and can involve the kidneys.

Imaging Challenges:

Computed tomography (CT) or MRI can accurately diagnose RCC but cannot reliably distinguish oncocytoma, fat-free AML, and malignant renal neoplasms from each other [6]. Therefore, a combination of imaging studies and histopathological examination is often necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

References:

[1] RE Gray. The differential diagnosis of renal masses. 2019. [6] Computed tomography or MRI allows accurate diagnosis of RCC but cannot reliably distinguish oncocytoma and fat-free AML from malignant renal neoplasms [109-112]. [3] PM Pierorazio. Renal cell carcinoma · Benign kidney tumors · - Oncocytoma · - Angiomyolipoma · - Metanephric adenoma · Metastatic disease · Lymphoma · Kidney ... [4] D Novacescu. Classically, RCCs were simply defined as malignant parenchymatous renal neoplasms, spawning from tubular epithelial cellularity. However, in light of recent ...