MRI Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), commonly known as kidney cancer, is a malignancy that originates in the cells of the renal tubules within the kidneys. It is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer among adults, constituting approximately 90% of all kidney cancer cases. RCC typically starts as a tumor within the kidney and has the potential to grow and spread over time. There are various subtypes of renal cell carcinoma, with clear cell renal cell carcinoma being the most common. Other subtypes include papillary renal cell carcinoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and several rare variants.

Causes:

The exact cause of RCC is not entirely understood, but several risk factors have been identified. These include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, long-term dialysis treatment, and certain occupational exposures to chemicals like trichloroethylene.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of RCC can be nonspecific and may not appear until the disease is advanced. Common signs and symptoms may include:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• A mass or lump in the side or abdomen
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Hypertension
• Night sweats
• A general feeling of being unwell

Treatment:

Treatment for renal cell carcinoma typically depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and their personal preferences. Options may include:

1. 1. Surgery: The mainstay treatment for localized RCC is surgery to remove the kidney (nephrectomy), which can be partial (removing part of the kidney) or radical (removing the entire kidney along with surrounding tissues). Laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgeries may be used to perform these procedures with less impact on the patient.

   2. Targeted Therapy: These drugs target specific pathways or features of cancer cells, such as the blood vessels that supply tumors with nutrients. Medications in this category can slow the progression of the disease or reduce symptoms.

   3. Immunotherapy: These treatments harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Some forms of immunotherapy can be very effective against RCC.

   4. Radiation Therapy: While not often used as a primary treatment for RCC due to the kidney’s resistance to radiation, it may be used to alleviate symptoms, especially for metastatic cancer spread to other parts of the body.

   5. Chemotherapy: RCC is generally resistant to chemotherapy, but in some cases, certain drugs may be tried, especially if other treatments are not effective.