Rare Immunology News

Advertisement

Disease Profile

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

0

US Estimated

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Adult

ageofonset-adult.svg

ICD-10

C64

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

no.svg

Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

no.svg

X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

no.svg

X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

no.svg

Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

no.svg

Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

no.svg

Not applicable

no.svg

Other names (AKA)

Clear cell RCC; Cystic-multilocular variant; Clear-cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (subtype)

Categories

Rare Cancers

Summary

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is a cancer of the kidney. The name "clear cell" refers to the appearance of the cancer cells when viewed with a microscope.[5258] Clear cell renal cell carcinoma occurs when cells in the kidney quickly increase in number, creating a lump (mass). Though the exact cause of clear cell renal cell carcinoma is unknown, smoking, the excessive use of certain medications, and several genetic predisposition conditions (such as von Hippel Lindau syndrome) may contribute to the development of this type of cancer. Treatment often begins with surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and may be followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, or targeted therapy.[1]

Treatment

There are several treatments for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma available in North America. IL-2 and sunitinib - as well as the medications temsirolimus, bevacizumab with interferon therapy, pazopanib, and sorafenib are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.[2] Because a cure for this disease has yet to be discovered, the National Cancer Institute suggests that individuals with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma consider participation in a research study.[3]

IL-2 is offered as a treatment for this disease in some individuals because it has been shown to cause a complete disappearance of signs of this disease (remission) in 5% of treated patients.[3] As IL-2 may cause toxic side effects, it is most appropriate for patients who are in excellent health.[2]

Sunitinib is offered because it has been shown to stabilize metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma by stopping the disease from getting worse. Individuals treated with sunitinib showed no change in their disease for an average of 11 months.[3]

FDA-Approved Treatments

The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.

Learn more

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

References

  1. National Cancer Institute. General Information about Renal Cell Carcinoma. Renal Cell Cancer Treatment. July 7, 2015; https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/renalcell/Patient/page1.
  2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Kidney Cancer. NCCN Clinical Practic Guidelines in Oncology. 2012; https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/kidney.pdf. Accessed 5/31/2012.
  3. National Cancer Institute. Stage IV and Recurrent Renal Cell Cancer. Renal Cell Cancer Treatment. 2012; https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/renalcell/HealthProfessional/page8. Accessed 5/31/2012.

Rare Immunology News