What is Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of adult kidney cancers. This cancer type develops in the proximal renal tubules, part of the kidney’s filtration system.
What is the Prevalence of Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2-3% of all adult cancers. According to 2020 data, there are currently 431,000 people diagnosed with kidney cancer worldwide, with renal cell carcinoma making up approximately 85% of these cases. The prevalence is higher in men compared to women.
What are the Symptoms of Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Many patients with renal cell carcinoma do not show symptoms until the disease is in advanced stages. Possible symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or pressure in the back or side of the body
- Abdominal swelling
- Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever not related to infection
How is Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosed?
To diagnose cancer, a physical examination is accompanied by various tests. These tests primarily include:
Biopsy: Removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.
Blood and Urine Tests: To check for abnormalities and overall health.
Imaging Methods: These include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cystoscopy, and ultrasound.
How is Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated?
Renal cell carcinoma is primarily treated with surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are sometimes used.
Treating renal cell carcinoma is based on the patient’s overall physical health and the extent or stage of tumour spread.
Surgery involves removing the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. It can be performed as radical, partial, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery.
Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells.
Drug Therapy: Systemic treatment involves using medications to kill cancer cells. The main systemic treatments for renal cell carcinoma include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
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