Renal cell carcinoma - Overview
Alternative Names
Renal cancer; Kidney cancer; Hypernephroma; Adenocarcinoma of renal cells; Cancer - kidney
Definition of Renal cell carcinoma:
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.
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)
- Reviewed last on: 6/10/2008
- David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves New Treatment for Advanced Kidney Cancer. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; December 20, 2005. Press Release P05-107.
Kidney Cancer. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. 2008. Accessed June 10, 2008.
