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Renal cell carcinoma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Renal cancer; Kidney cancer; Hypernephroma; Adenocarcinoma of renal cells; Cancer - kidney

Treatment:

Surgical removal of all or part of the kidney ( nephrectomy ) is recommended. This may include removal of the bladder or surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy does not usually work for renal cell carcinoma and, therefore, is not often used. Hormone treatments may reduce the growth of the tumor in some cases.

Medications such as alpha-interferon and interleukin have been successful in reducing the growth of some renal cell carcinomas, including some that have spread. In December 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new type of drug called Nexavar for adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma. The drug works by blocking a tumor's blood supply.

Chemotherapy may be used in some cases, but cure is unlikely unless all the cancer is removed with surgery.

Support Groups:

The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group and kidney disease - support group .

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies depending on the degree of metastasis. The 5-year survival rate is around 60 - 75% if the tumor is in the early stages and has not spread outside the kidney. If it has metastasized to the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival is around 5 - 15%. If it has spread to other organs, the 5-year survival at less than 5%.

Complications:

• Hypertension
• Metastasis of the cancer

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider any time blood in the urine develops. Also call if any other symptoms of this disorder occur.

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.

• Review Date: 12/21/2005
• Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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