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
Papillary renal cell carcinoma is a type ofkidney cancer.
The kidneys are two small organs that work to remove waste products from the blood. Papillary renal cell carcinoma forms in the cells that line the small tubes in the kidney, known as renal tubules. These tubes filter waste from the blood and make urine.
Renal cell carcinomais the most common type of kidney cancer, and papillary renal cell carcinoma makes up about 15% of those cases.
A papillary tumor usually looks like a long, thin growth. There are two types of papillary renal cell carcinoma.
This article will provide an overview of the causes and symptoms of papillary renal cell carcinoma. It will also discuss diagnostic tests and treatment options.
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Types of Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
There are two types of papillary renal cell carcinoma, and their prognoses are quite different.
Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Not everyone with papillary renal cell carcinoma experiences any symptoms. However, it is possible that you may notice the following signs and symptoms:
Papillary renal cell carcinoma usually occurs randomly and does not have a known cause. This is called sporadic papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Risk FactorsKnown risk factors for papillary renal cell carcinoma include:SmokingObesityHereditary leiomyomatosisRenal cell cancerReceivingdialysis treatmentHigh blood pressure(hypertension)Family history of kidney cancerHorseshoe kidney(a condition where the two kidneys bind together at the bottom to create a horseshoe shape)Polycystic kidney diseaseLong-term use of pain or diuretic medicationsVon Hippel-Lindau diseaseBirt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome
Risk Factors
Known risk factors for papillary renal cell carcinoma include:SmokingObesityHereditary leiomyomatosisRenal cell cancerReceivingdialysis treatmentHigh blood pressure(hypertension)Family history of kidney cancerHorseshoe kidney(a condition where the two kidneys bind together at the bottom to create a horseshoe shape)Polycystic kidney diseaseLong-term use of pain or diuretic medicationsVon Hippel-Lindau diseaseBirt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome
Known risk factors for papillary renal cell carcinoma include:
What Is Kidney Cancer?
The diagnostic process for identifying papillary renal cell carcinoma will include a physical exam, thorough medical history, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.
Lab tests used may include:
Determining SpreadTests used to determine spread or metastasis include:Bone scanChestX-rayChest CT scanPositron emission tomography (PET) scan
Determining Spread
Tests used to determine spread or metastasis include:Bone scanChestX-rayChest CT scanPositron emission tomography (PET) scan
Tests used to determine spread or metastasis include:
How Kidney Cancer Is Diagnosed and Staged
Treatment for papillary renal cell carcinoma usually starts with surgery to remove part or all of the kidney. This procedure is known as a nephrectomy.Surgery is the most common treatment option for early-stage kidney cancers.
Radiation therapy may then be recommended to kill cancer cells in the area of the tumor. Your doctor may recommend radiation after surgery to ensure that all cancer cells have been killed.
Adjuvant therapy is an additional treatment used after surgery to help kill remaining cancer cells in the tumor area. Your doctor may recommend adjuvant therapy to help prevent cancer from returning.
Chemotherapy is currently not indicated in the treatment of papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Medications
Is Kidney Cancer Curable? Understanding the Odds
The prognosis for papillary renal cell carcinoma is unique to every individual and depends on how advanced the cancer is and whether or not it has spread to other areas of the body.
The prognosis for type 1 papillary renal cell carcinoma is believed to be better than for type 2. This is because type 2 carcinoma is a more aggressive form of cancer that spreads quickly.
Possible complications of papillary renal cell carcinoma include:
Once you learn that you have cancer, finding a support network will be an important aspect of your treatment. Talk with your medical team about options such as a support group or online community.
The following organizations may be able to help:
Summary
Papillary renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the small tubes in the kidneys known as renal tubules. The tumors appear as finger-like projections in the tubules. Common symptoms include blood in the urine, pain, and feeling a mass in your side. Papillary renal cell carcinoma is usually treated with surgery and possibly radiation therapy as well.
A Word From Verywell
Learning that you may have papillary renal cell carcinoma is an overwhelming and frightening experience. It may be helpful to remember that help is available.
See your doctor as soon as you develop any new symptoms such as blood in the urine or pain in your side. Early diagnosis is critical to treating papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Once you have been diagnosed, reach out to a support group or online community to receive the support you and your loved ones need.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPapillary renal cell carcinoma is treatable, and the earlier it is found, the more positive the prognosis is. The five-year survival rate for localized kidney cancer that has not spread is 93%. The overall five-year survival rate is 75%.No, chemotherapy is usually not recommended for this type of kidney cancer. Treatment usually includes surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy drugs.Possible signs and symptoms of papillary renal cell carcinoma include:Blood in the urineLow back pain (flank pain)Abdominal pain or swellingUnintended weight lossFatigueFeverA lump in the side of the abdomenSwelling in the veins around the testicle (varicocele)Excessive hair growth in womenPale skinVision changesLiver changesElevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (blood test)
Papillary renal cell carcinoma is treatable, and the earlier it is found, the more positive the prognosis is. The five-year survival rate for localized kidney cancer that has not spread is 93%. The overall five-year survival rate is 75%.
No, chemotherapy is usually not recommended for this type of kidney cancer. Treatment usually includes surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy drugs.
Possible signs and symptoms of papillary renal cell carcinoma include:Blood in the urineLow back pain (flank pain)Abdominal pain or swellingUnintended weight lossFatigueFeverA lump in the side of the abdomenSwelling in the veins around the testicle (varicocele)Excessive hair growth in womenPale skinVision changesLiver changesElevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (blood test)
Possible signs and symptoms of papillary renal cell carcinoma include:
5 SourcesVerywell 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.National Cancer Institute.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.Pan H, Ye L, Zhu Q, Yang Z, Hu M.The effect of the papillary renal cell carcinoma subtype on oncological outcomes.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):21073. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78174-9MedlinePlus.Renal cell carcinoma.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Survival rates for kidney cancer.
5 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.National Cancer Institute.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.Pan H, Ye L, Zhu Q, Yang Z, Hu M.The effect of the papillary renal cell carcinoma subtype on oncological outcomes.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):21073. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78174-9MedlinePlus.Renal cell carcinoma.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Survival rates for kidney cancer.
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.
National Cancer Institute.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.Pan H, Ye L, Zhu Q, Yang Z, Hu M.The effect of the papillary renal cell carcinoma subtype on oncological outcomes.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):21073. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78174-9MedlinePlus.Renal cell carcinoma.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Survival rates for kidney cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Pan H, Ye L, Zhu Q, Yang Z, Hu M.The effect of the papillary renal cell carcinoma subtype on oncological outcomes.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):21073. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78174-9
MedlinePlus.Renal cell carcinoma.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Papillary renal cell carcinoma.
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for kidney cancer.
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