When cancer develops in the kidneys, it can cause serious health risks including the disruption of the kidney’s ability to filter blood and urine. But in order to understand the risk of kidney cancer (also known as renal cancer) and how you can prevent the likelihood of developing kidney cancer, it’s important to understand the various types and how they function. 

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Renal cell carcinoma (also known as renal cell cancer, renal cell adenocarcinoma, or RCC kidney cancer) is by far the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of all kidney cancer cases^[1], 85% of which are malignant^[2]. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC which has spread beyond the kidney) makes up 33% of all renal cell carcinoma cases^[4]. Here are some renal cell carcinoma types:

• Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma: This is the most prevalent subtype, making up about 70% of renal cell carcinoma cases^[1]. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma gets its name from its cells which appear clear under a microscope. 

• Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma: This subtype accounts for around 15% of renal cell carcinoma cases^[3]. The word “papillary” in this context, refers to the finger-like projections which characterize this type of cancer. There are two types of papillary RCC: type 1 and type 2, each with unique features and behaviors.

• Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma: A rarer subtype, representing about 5% of RCC cases^[1]. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma affects the tubules, the part of the kidney that actually filters the blood and converts its waste into urine.

• Renal Medullary Carcinoma: This subtype is one of the rarest forms of RCC and primarily affects young African Americans^[2].

Other Types of Kidney Cancer

There are a few other types of kidney cancer that aren’t subtypes of renal cell carcinoma. These are:

• Transitional Cell Carcinoma: This type of kidney cancer develops in the renal pelvis, which is the part of the kidney that collects urine before it is transported to the bladder. Transitional cell carcinoma is more closely related to bladder cancer than to RCC and is also typically associated with cigarette smoking^[2].

• Wilms Tumor: A rare form of cancer that is almost exclusively found in children^[1]. 

• Renal Sarcoma: This type of kidney cancer makes up less than 1% of kidney cancer cases^[2] and originates in the blood vessels and the tissues connecting to the kidney – not the kidney itself^[1].

Metastatic Kidney Cancer

Metastatic kidney cancer is a term used to describe kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body including the lungs, liver, bones, brain, and rarely the breasts. When kidney cancer becomes metastatic kidney cancer, treatment becomes much more complicated.

Secondary Kidney Cancer

When medical professionals use the term “secondary kidney cancer” they’re referring to cancer that has spread from another part of the body, such as the uterus, cervix, or colon. Secondary kidney cancer isn’t really a type of kidney cancer at all–but rather another type of cancer that has spread to the kidney.

Renal Cancer Symptoms

As with many types of cancer, early-stage renal cancer usually has no symptoms, however, as it progresses, you may experience blood in your urine, pain in your side or lower back, or develop a mass on your kidney. Catching renal cancer early is key to ensuring that your renal cancer treatment is effective.

Find Kidney Cancer Resources in NYC

Because renal cancer is often hard to detect in the early stages, preventing your risk of kidney cancer is imperative. By eating well, lowering your alcohol intake, and exercising, you can mitigate your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s also good to be aware of your individual cancer risks as they relate to race, ethnicity, family history, and genetics. SHAREing & CAREing can help connect you with affordable cancer treatment, provide individual support, and help you through the treatment process.

To explore further, visit the SHAREing & CAREing website, or reach out to us directly using our online contact form. Serving Queens and the broader New York City region for more than 25 years, our non-profit organization is here for you every step of the way.

Sources

1. “What Is Kidney Cancer?”, American Cancer Society, 2020
2. “Types of Kidney Cancer/Renal Cancer”, UCLA Health, 2024
3. “What is papillary renal cell carcinoma?”, National Cancer Institute, 2020
4. “Metastatic renal cell carcinoma”, National Library of Medicine, 2003