Identifying Kidney Cancer Types at Our Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey Practices

When healthy cells in one or both of a patient’s kidneys begin to grow out of control, one of many kidney cancer types can result. At Regional Cancer Care Associates, we diagnose and treat all forms of kidney cancer at our Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey facilities. By providing treatments that are personalized to each of our patients, we’re able to help them lead enriching lives while managing their disease.

Kidney Cancer Types

Each year, the network of physicians at Regional Cancer Care Associates sees and treats countless patients with kidney cancer. Our team diagnoses several different types of kidney cancer, including:

                Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of adult kidney cancer. Typically, these types of cancerous cells develop in the lining of tiny tubes inside the kidney, known as tubules. As they progress, the cells can form into a mass and obstruct one or more of these tubules. RCC can be further broken down into several subtypes, including:

• Clear cell RCC
• Papillary RCC
• Chromophobe RCC
• Collecting duct RCC
• Unclassified RCC

Clear cell RCC is the most common subtype of RCC. These cells can be identified beneath a microscope by their clear or pale coloring. Depending on the type of RCC, a patient’s tumor(s) may be more or less aggressive, larger or smaller, and respond more or less effectively to certain kidney cancer treatments.

                Urothelial Carcinoma

Also known as transitional cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinomas account for between 5% and 10% of all diagnosed kidney cancers in adults. They develop in the renal pelvis, the part of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the bladder. In most cases, this form of kidney cancer is treated the same way as bladder cancer because they both begin in the same types of cells.

                Sarcoma

This rare form of kidney cancer can develop in the kidney’s soft tissue, its surrounding connective tissue, or its surrounding fat. Surgery is commonly used to treat sarcoma, but it frequently returns to the kidneys or spreads to other parts of the body following an initial procedure. For these reasons, further surgeries and chemotherapy are often recommended.

                Wilms Tumor

Accounting for about 1% of all kidney cancers, Wilms tumors are most commonly seen in children. When combined with surgery, this disease is more responsive than other kidney cancer types to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. As a result, Wilms tumors are often handled differently than most kidney cancers.

                Lymphoma

Patients who are diagnosed with lymphoma may experience an enlargement of one or both of their kidneys or other parts of their bodies, including the abdominal cavity, neck, or chest. To treat this form of kidney cancer, providers often perform biopsies and chemotherapies.

Contact Us to Learn More

For years, the team of experienced physicians at Regional Cancer Care Associates has provided comprehensive kidney cancer treatments for patients living throughout Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey. And thanks to our state-of-the-art facilities and knowledgeable care teams, we are also able to preserve the well-being of high-risk individuals with our screening capabilities. To learn more about our array of cancer treatments, schedule an evaluation at a location near you.