Papillary renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that accounts for 10-15% of renal cell tumors. It is characterized by finger-like bumps and is more common in males. Hereditary and environmental factors can increase the risk of developing this cancer. Symptoms include blood in urine, fever, and lower back pain. Treatment options depend on the stage of cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Papillary renal cell carcinoma is one of the types of renal cell cancer, also known as renal adenocarcinoma or kidney cancer. Kidney cell tumors are malignant cells found in the lining of the kidney tubules, whose purpose is to cleanse the blood. Kidney tumors can be one of five basic cell types: clear cell; chromophilic cell, chromophobic cell, oncocytic cell, or collecting duct cell. The second of these, the chromophilic cell, is also referred to as papillary renal cell carcinoma or PRCC.
Carcinoma refers to a malignant cancer that arises from cells in the epithelial tissue, or lining, of the body. Papillary refers to small bumps such as those on the top of the tongue, also described as “finger-like”, which are characteristic of this tumor. And chromophilia due to the way papillary renal cell carcinoma cells react to the dyes used to make them visible under a microscope.
Renal cell carcinomas account for only three percent of malignancies in adults, and papillary renal cell carcinoma cases make up approximately ten to fifteen percent of renal cell tumors. It is the second most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma, after clear cell renal cell carcinoma, abbreviated RCC. It is estimated that five times more males than females develop papillary renal cell carcinoma.
There is an inherited form of this cancer called hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma which is caused by chromosomal translocation. This genetic form of the disease causes multiple tumors to form in both kidneys. While similar to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome in being hereditary, it is a distinct disorder.
In addition to heredity, there are some more general risk factors for renal cell carcinoma, including being male, being African American, being over 60; smoking cigarettes, obesity, high blood pressure and a high-calorie diet. Occupational exposure to chemicals and substances, including asbestos and cadmium, can also increase your risk. Additionally, medical treatments, such as dialysis and some medications, including pain relievers and diuretics, can increase a person’s risk of getting renal cell carcinoma.
Symptoms of papillary renal cell carcinoma may include anemia, blood in the urine, brown or red urine, feeling lethargy or being sick, fever, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Depending on the stage of cancer diagnosed, treatment options include biologic therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplantation, and targeted therapy.
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