Renal: Malignancy

Question 1

What are the classical symptoms seen in renal cell carcinoma?

Answer 1

Haematuria, loin pain, abdominal mass.
Left sided varicocele (due to obstruction of the vein) 
Pyrexia of unknown origin 
Endocrine effects (may secrete EPO)

Question 2

What type of cancer do you get in the renal pelvis?

Answer 2

Transitional cell carcinoma

Question 3

What type of cancer do you get in the renal parenchyma?

Answer 3

Renal cell carcinoma

Question 4

What is the most common type of renal cancer seen in children?

Answer 4

Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma)

Question 5

What type of tumour is renal cell carcinoma?

Answer 5

Adenocarcinoma

Question 6

What investigations are done if a renal cell carcinoma is suspected?

Answer 6

Ultrasound then CT

Question 7

Do you need a kidney biopsy if you suspect renal cell carcinoma?

Answer 7

Not if you are doing a nephrectomy but yes if ablation therapies are being carried out

Question 8

How is renal cell cancer generally managed?

Answer 8

Partial or total nephrectomy

Question 9

What is von hippel lindau disease?

Answer 9

A rare genetic disorder where there is visceral cysts and benign tumours which can undergo malignant change. (can cause haemangioblastoma, phaechromocytoma or renal cell carcinoma)

Question 10

Where does renal cell carcinoma originate?

Answer 10

Proximal convoluted tubule