Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma, also known as multilocular clear cell renal cell carcinoma, is a very rare type ofkidney cancer. It is a subtype ofclear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer in the United States. Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma makes up about 1% to 2% of all clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases.
This article will provide an overview of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma and outline treatment options.
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Types of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is a very rare type of cancer. In addition, there are several other types ofrenal cell carcinoma, including:
Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Many people with multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma have no symptoms at all. Possible symptoms of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma include:
Causes of Kidney Pain
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma usually occurs randomly without a known cause.
It’s important to note that clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the type of kidney cancer that includes multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma, is believed to run in families. If you have a family history ofHippel-Lindau disease, you may be at higher risk. This is due to a mutation in the VHL gene.
Other risk factors for all types of renal cell carcinoma include:
RecapWhile there is no known cause for multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma, there are risk factors to be aware of. Men are more likely to experience this rare cancer, and the mean age at diagnosis is 51 years.
Recap
While there is no known cause for multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma, there are risk factors to be aware of. Men are more likely to experience this rare cancer, and the mean age at diagnosis is 51 years.
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma can be difficult to diagnose because it often appears as a benign cyst on imaging studies. Tests to diagnose this rare cancer include:
How Kidney Cancer Is Diagnosed and Staged
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is considered slow-growing cancer with a positive prognosis. This type of cancer rarely if ever spreads or metastasizes. It behaves more like a benign tumor and is thus easier to treat than other types of kidney cancer.
Treatment plans usually involve surgery to remove the cancerous growth. If cancer is in an early stage, your surgeon will likely recommend removing the part of the kidney with the tumor. If the tumor is large or located in the middle of the kidney, the entire kidney may need to be removed.
The two types of surgery include:
Rarely, other treatment options may include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy.
Fortunately, the prognosis for multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is positive. Cancer cells are usually found only in the kidney and do not tend to spread. Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma has the most positive prognosis of all the subtypes of renal cell carcinoma.
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is known as a low-grade neoplasm. This means that the cells appear almost normal under a microscope. This type of cancer usually has an excellent prognosis because the cells tend to grow and spread slowly.
RecapMultilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is a low-grade neoplasm and rarely spreads beyond the kidney. It has a positive prognosis when treated.
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is a low-grade neoplasm and rarely spreads beyond the kidney. It has a positive prognosis when treated.
Undergoing cancer treatment is an overwhelming experience, and finding ways to cope is essential. Talk with your medical team about your prognosis and what to expect from surgery. Ask about support groups or online communities, as well as financial assistance programs.
The following organizations may be able to help as well:
Summary
Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is a very rare type of kidney cancer and is a subtype of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. This low-grade neoplasm usually does not spread beyond the kidney and tends to have a positive diagnosis. Surgery to remove the cancerous area of the kidney or the entire kidney is generally recommended.
A Word From Verywell
Learning that you have cancer may be one of the most stressful moments of your life. It is helpful to remember that while multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma is rare, it has an excellent prognosis when treated with surgery. Talk with your medical team about your treatment options and available support services.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, the prognosis for this type of cancer is very positive. The cancerous tissue is usually confined to the kidney and removed via surgery.There is no known cause for multilocular renal cell carcinoma. Possible risk factors include:SmokingMisusing certain pain medicationsObesityHigh blood pressure (hypertension)Family history of kidney cancerHippel-Lindau diseaseHereditary papillary renal cell carcinomaDuring nephron-sparing surgery, the surgeon removes part of the kidney, as opposed to the entire kidney. It is also known as partial nephrectomy. Talk with your surgeon about the best treatment option for your type of cancer.
Yes, the prognosis for this type of cancer is very positive. The cancerous tissue is usually confined to the kidney and removed via surgery.
There is no known cause for multilocular renal cell carcinoma. Possible risk factors include:SmokingMisusing certain pain medicationsObesityHigh blood pressure (hypertension)Family history of kidney cancerHippel-Lindau diseaseHereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma
There is no known cause for multilocular renal cell carcinoma. Possible risk factors include:
During nephron-sparing surgery, the surgeon removes part of the kidney, as opposed to the entire kidney. It is also known as partial nephrectomy. Talk with your surgeon about the best treatment option for your type of cancer.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Singhai A, Babu S, Verma N, Singh V.Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma: a rare entity.BMJ Case Rep. 2013:bcr2012008457. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-008457
American Cancer Society.What is kidney cancer?
National Cancer Institute.Clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Chowdhury AR, Chakraborty D, Bhattacharya P, Dey RK.Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma a diagnostic dilemma: a case report in a 30-year-old woman.Urol Ann. 5(2):119-121. doi:10.4103/0974-7796.110012
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for kidney cancer.
Hindman NM, Bosniak MA, Rosenkrantz AB, Lee-Felker S, Melamed J.Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma: comparison of imaging and pathologic findings.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 198(1):W20-W26. doi:10.2214/AJR.11.6762
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