Types of kidney cancer

• A quick guide to what's on this page
• Renal cell cancer
• Other types of kidney cancer

Renal cell cancer is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. More than 8 in every 10 (80%) kidney cancers diagnosed in the UK are this type. This kidney cancer section of CancerHelp UK is mainly about renal cell cancers. Renal cell cancer is also called renal adenocarcinoma or hypernephroma. In renal cell cancer the cancerous cells are found in the lining of the tubules (the smallest tubes inside the nephrons that help filter the blood and make urine).

There are several types of renal cell cancer that can be identified by looking at the cancer cells under a microscope. The main ones are:

• Clear cell
• Papillary (Types 1 and 2)
• Chromophobe
• Oncocytic
• Collecting duct

All these types of renal cell cancer may also occur in a different form, known as 'sarcomatoid' type.

Clear cell cancer is the most common type of renal cell cancer. The others are much less common. Often kidney cancers contain more than one of these cell types. If a kidney cancer is a sarcomatoid type it may have a worse outlook than nonsarcomatous kidney cancers. Generally, how quickly growing the cancer is likely to be is graded in a particular way, by looking at the cells under a microscope. The kidney cancer grading system is called the Fuhrman system.

All these types of renal cell cancer, and all grades, are treated the same way. The grading may give the doctor some idea of how quickly or slowly the cancer is likely to grow. It may help the doctor decide on the treatment you need. For example, for a cancer that is likely to grow quickly, a specialist may be more likely to suggest additional treatment as well as surgery to try to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.

There is more information about sarcomatoid renal cancer in the kidney cancer questions and answers section.

Another type of kidney cancer is called transitional cell cancer (TCC) of the renal pelvis. It is less common. About 7 or 8 out of every 100 (7 to 8 %) kidney cancers diagnosed in the UK are TCCs. The treatment for this type of kidney cancer is similar to the treatment for bladder cancer.

A type of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumour can affect children. This is different from kidney cancer in adults. For information about these rare types of kidney cancer look in the help and support section for organisations that produce information about kidney cancer. They will be able to give you the information you need about your type of cancer.