Renal Cell Carcinoma

Key facts

• Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer, roughly 90% of adult cases, arising in the cells lining the kidney's small tubules.
• It often grows silently, so symptoms (blood in the urine, a flank lump, unexplained weight loss and fatigue) may only appear once the tumour is large or has spread.
• Early localised disease is treated with surgery; advanced disease uses targeted medicines such as sorafenib (a multikinase inhibitor) and everolimus (an mTOR inhibitor), part of broader oncology support.
• Smoking, obesity, long-term high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease raise the risk.

How renal cell carcinoma develops and who it affects

RCC usually arises after age 50 and is about twice as common in men as in women. Established risk factors include smoking, obesity, long-standing high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. The most common subtype, clear cell RCC, frequently involves loss of the VHL tumour-suppressor gene, which drives abnormal blood-vessel growth within the tumour, and that mechanism is directly relevant to how targeted medicines work.

Targeted treatments for advanced disease

Caught early and localised, RCC is treated with surgery to remove part or all of the affected kidney, with good outcomes. Advanced or metastatic disease needs systemic therapy, and targeted agents form the backbone. Sorafenib blocks signals that drive tumour growth and new blood-vessel formation. Everolimus works differently, inhibiting the mTOR pathway that RCC cells rely on, and is often used after initial targeted therapy stops working. Both belong to the class reviewed under oncology support.

When to see a doctor

Blood in the urine, a persistent lump in the flank, or unexplained weight loss and fatigue warrant prompt medical review, as these are classic warning signs of RCC.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.