Renal Cell Carcinoma Overview

A type of kidney cancer, arising from the tubular epithelium, responsible for a majority of primary kidney cancers.

RCC accounts for a significant portion (up to 90%) of primary kidney cancers and a relatively small percentage of overall cancers (2-3%).

Factors increasing the risk of RCC include smoking, obesity, hypertension, unopposed estrogen therapy, exposure to asbestos, cadmium, petroleum products, and heavy metals, and acquired cystic kidney disease in dialysis patients.

Certain genetic syndromes increase RCC risk, including von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer, hereditary papillary RCC, and Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD).

A genetic syndrome, commonly associated with multiple, potentially life-threatening, cancers in various organs (including the kidneys), including haemangioblastomas (blood vessel tumors), renal cysts, and pheochromocytomas (adrenal gland tumors).

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer that originates from the tubular epithelium (lining of the kidney tubes). It accounts for the majority of all primary kidney cancers.

RCC is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer, accounting for about 90% of all primary malignant tumors affecting the kidneys.

RCC is sometimes called 'hypernephroma' because it resembles the clear cells of the adrenal cortex and often exhibits a yellow color upon gross inspection.

Factors that increase your risk of developing RCC include smoking, obesity, hypertension, unopposed estrogen therapy, exposure to asbestos, cadmium, heavy metals, and acquired cystic disease in dialysis patients.

VHL syndrome is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing RCC. It also predisposes individuals to other tumors like haemangioblastomas (blood vessel tumors) of the cerebellum and retina, renal cysts, and pheochromocytomas (adrenal gland tumors).