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Renal Cell Carcinoma, often called RCC, is a type of cancer that starts in the kidney. Specifically, it begins in the lining of tiny tubes inside the kidney that help filter waste and fluids from the blood to make urine. RCC is the most common kind of kidney cancer in adults. You might also hear it called hypernephroma, renal cell adenocarcinoma, or simply renal cell cancer. These different names all refer to the same disease, so it’s helpful to know they mean the same thing.
RCC is important because it can grow quietly without causing symptoms early on. This means it is sometimes found only after it has grown larger or spread to other parts of the body. When caught early, RCC can often be treated successfully, usually with surgery. However, if it has spread, treatment may include medicines that target cancer growth or help the immune system fight the cancer. Drugs like axitinib, avelumab, and aldesleukin are examples of treatments used for advanced RCC. Understanding RCC helps patients and caregivers know what to expect and how treatment decisions are made.
You might come across the term RCC in medical reports, treatment plans, or during conversations with your healthcare team. Sometimes it appears under other names like hypernephroma or renal cell adenocarcinoma. Symptoms of RCC can include blood in the urine, pain in the side or abdomen, a lump in the belly area, weight loss, fever, or feeling unwell. However, many people have no symptoms at first, and RCC may be found during imaging tests done for other reasons. If you hear this term, it’s important to ask your care team what it means for your specific situation.
Renal Cell Carcinoma may be mentioned in many places, such as pathology reports after a biopsy, imaging results, treatment plans, or clinical trial descriptions. It can also appear in drug information when discussing medicines approved to treat RCC, like axitinib, avelumab, or aldesleukin. Knowing where and how the term is used can help you better understand your care and treatment options.
Seeing the term RCC does not by itself tell you the stage of cancer, how aggressive it is, or what treatment will be best. It is a diagnosis that needs to be understood in context with other information like test results, symptoms, and overall health. RCC is not a single treatment plan or outcome but a starting point for discussions about care. It also does not mean the cancer is always advanced or untreatable—many people have successful treatment, especially when caught early.
Doctors use the diagnosis of RCC to guide further testing, staging (finding out how far the cancer has spread), and treatment planning. Surgery is often the first step if the cancer is localized. For advanced RCC, targeted therapies and immunotherapies may be recommended. Doctors also monitor patients over time to watch for changes or recurrence. Understanding the specific type and behavior of RCC helps doctors choose the best approach for each patient.
Because RCC can be called by several names, patients may be confused when they see different terms in reports or discussions. It’s helpful to ask your care team to explain what the term means in your case. Questions you might ask include: What stage is my RCC? What treatment options do I have? What side effects should I expect? How will we monitor my cancer over time? Clear communication helps you feel more confident and involved in your care.
When you see RCC mentioned, remember it is one part of a larger picture that includes your symptoms, test results, and overall health. It’s important not to focus on the word alone but to understand what it means for your diagnosis and treatment. Always ask your healthcare team to explain how RCC applies to your situation and what the next steps are.
This information is meant to help you understand what Renal Cell Carcinoma is and how it relates to kidney cancer. It does not replace medical advice or decisions made by your healthcare team. If RCC is mentioned in your medical records or discussions, the best next step is to ask your care providers to explain what it means for you personally, including treatment options and what to expect. Open communication with your care team is key to managing your health and cancer care.
Public source information used for this glossary entry includes: