Types of Kidney Cancer and Symptoms
March is National Kidney Month, and it is used to raise awareness of the different types of kidney cancer and the importance of early detection. The most common type of kidney cancer is Renal Cell Carcinoma:
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for 9 out of 10 cases. Your doctor will look under a microscope to see what kind of cancer cells there are. There are different types of RCC, including:
- Clear Cell
- Cells look pale or clear, the most common type of RCC.
- Papillary
- Tiny fingerlike growths are the second most common type of RCC.
- Chromophobe
- Cells are larger than other types of RCC.
- Collecting Duct
- Cells look like irregular tubes.
- Unclassified
- This is when the cancer has more than one type of cancer cell.
Other less-common, types of kidney cancer include:
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
This is also called urothelial carcinoma, it starts where the ureter and kidney meet.
Wilms’ Tumor
This kind of kidney cancer is most common in children.
Renal Sarcoma
Renal sarcoma is a rare type of kidney cancer that begins in the blood vessels that connect around the kidneys.
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain in your side or lower back
- A lump or mass in your abdomen
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Swelling in your legs or ankles
- High blood pressure
Early detection of kidney cancer is crucial for treatment. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.