Kidney Cancer Stories
Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children. The main types of kidney cancer are renal cell (cancer forms on the outside or cortex of the kidney) and urothelial cancer (cancer forms in kidney lining). Renal cell carcinoma accounts for about 85% of all kidney cancers.
Explore below for our in-depth kidney cancer stories from our community members who share everything from first symptoms to navigating life with cancer.
Kidney Cancer Patient Stories
Renal Cell Carcinoma Stories
The most common form of kidney cancer. The cancer begins to form in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. Renal tubules are responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.
Alexa D., Kidney Cancer, Stage 1B
Initial Symptoms: Blood in the urine; lower abdominal pain, cramping, back pain on the right side
Treatment: Surgery (radical right nephrectomy)
...
Bill P., Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, Stage 3, Type 1
Cancer details: < 10% of kidney cancers
1st Symptoms: Kidney stone, lower back pain, sore/stiff leg, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clot
Treatment: Nephrectomy (surgical removal of kidney and ureter)
...
Burt R., Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (PNET) & Kidney Cancer
Symptoms: None; found the cancers during CAT scans for internal bleeding due to ulcers
Treatment: Chemotherapy (capecitabine + temozolomide), surgery (distal pancreatectomy, to be scheduled)
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Kevin R., Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Cancer details: Also known as urothelial (invasive), 5-10% of kidney cancers
1st Symptoms: Blood in urine
Treatment: Nephrectomy (surgical removal of kidney and ureter)
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Kirsty N., Stage 4 Squamous Cell
Symptoms: Persistent left flank pain, backache, fatigue, weight loss, traces of blood in urine, fluid in left kidney
Treatment: Chemotherapy (gemcitabine & carboplatin)
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Transitional Cell Carcinoma Stories
A form of kidney cancer that starts in the transitional cells lining of the renal pelvis and ureter.
Kevin R., Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Cancer details: Also known as urothelial (invasive), 5-10% of kidney cancers
1st Symptoms: Blood in urine
Treatment: Nephrectomy (surgical removal of kidney and ureter)
...
Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Stories
A form of kidney cancer that begins in the small tubes located in the kidney that filter blood and make urine. The cancer forms small finger-like projections called papillae.
Bill P., Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, Stage 3, Type 1
Cancer details: < 10% of kidney cancers
1st Symptoms: Kidney stone, lower back pain, sore/stiff leg, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clot
Treatment: Nephrectomy (surgical removal of kidney and ureter)
...
Laura E., Type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma, Stage 4
Cancer genetics: hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) (Reed’s Syndrome)
1st symptoms: profound fatigue, hypertension, high red blood cell count, severe back pain, badly swollen legs
Treatment: Cabometyx (cabozantinib) assigned under S1500 PAPMET clinical trial
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Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma Stories
A very rare form of kidney cancer that also begins in the small tubes located in the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. The chromophore cells are larger than papillae and appear pink or clear under a microscope.
Nina N., Chromophome Renal Cell Carcinoma, Stage 2
Cancer details: Rare, 5% of malignant kidney tumors
1st symptoms: Blood in urine, blood clots, intense abdominal pain
Treatment: Partial nephrectomy (surgical removal of right kidney)
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Kidney Cancer Oncologist & Experts
Testicular Cancer: What Patients Need to Know
Medical oncologist Alok Tewari, MD, PhD, who specializes in cancers arising from the genitourinary tract, discusses what patients need to know about testicular cancer.
Dr. Christopher Weight, M.D.
Role: Center Director Urologic Oncology
Focus: Urological oncology, including kidney, prostate, bladder cancers
Provider: Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Samuel Washington, MD, MAS
Role: Assistant Professor of Urology, UCSF
Focus: Treatment disparities in bladder cancer treatment
Provider: University of California San Francisco
Kidney Cancer Resources
Kidney cancer can be hard to detect as warning signs are slowly developing. Learn about the early signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of kidney cancer from real-life patients.
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