Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develops from kidney tissue and includes several subtypes. It is often found on imaging before symptoms appear; a scan finding alone does not determine subtype or treatment.
Key points
- Blood in urine, persistent flank pain, a mass, unexplained weight loss or anaemia can occur but are not specific to RCC.
- Imaging, pathology, stage, kidney function and overall health determine whether surveillance, surgery or systemic care is appropriate.
- Advanced-disease regimens evolve and may include immune or targeted treatment; catalogue entries do not represent a current regimen.
Catalogue matches do not diagnose RCC or define an oncology treatment plan.
What affects treatment choice?
Small localised tumours may be monitored or treated locally, while other disease may need partial or complete kidney surgery. Subtype, spread, remaining kidney function and surgical fitness matter.
What is the role of systemic medicine?
Sorafenib and everolimus target different cell pathways and have selected oncology roles. Current sequencing depends on pathology, previous therapy and adverse-effect risk. See oncology support.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care for heavy blood in urine or clots with inability to urinate, severe flank pain with fever, fainting, new confusion, sudden breathlessness or new neurological weakness.