Renal cell cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in
tubules of the kidney.
Renal cell cancer (also called kidney cancer or renal adenocarcinoma) is a
disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the lining of
tubules (very small tubes) in the kidney. There are 2 kidneys, one on each
side of the backbone, above the waist. The tiny tubules in the kidneys
filter and clean the blood, taking out waste products and making urine.
The urine passes from each kidney into the bladder through a long tube
called a ureter. The bladder stores the urine until it is passed from the
body.
Cancer that starts in the ureters or the renal pelvis (the part of the
kidney that collects urine and drains it to the ureters) is different from
renal cell cancer. Refer to the PDQ summary on Transitional Cell Cancer of
the Renal Pelvis and Ureter Treatment for more information).
Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk of
developing renal cell cancer.
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