Types of kidney cancer

 It’s rare for people under 40 to get kidney cancer but there is an uncommon type called Wilms’ tumour, which is also known as nephroblastoma, that affects very young children.

We have more information about Wilms’ tumour| and information for parents about children’s cancers|, which you may find helpful.

Cancer of the kidney isn’t infectious and can’t be passed on to other people.

Usually only one kidney is affected. It’s rare for cancer to occur in the other kidney.

About 90% of kidney cancers are renal cell cancers (RCC). They are sometimes called renal adenocarcinoma. There are different subtypes of renal cell cancer which can be identified by looking at the cells under a microscope. The most common subtype is clear cell. Other less common types include papillary (or chromophilic), chromophobic, oncocytic, collecting duct and sarcomatoid.

Rarer types of kidney cancer include cancer of the ureter and a type called transitional cell cancer (TCC), which starts in the transitional cells that line the central area of the kidney or renal pelvis.

This section describes the tests and treatments for renal cell cancers.

The tests and treatment for cancer of the ureter and transitional cell cancer are different. You can contact our cancer support specialists on 0808 808 00 00 for more information about these specific types of kidney cancer. Or you can visit our page describing cancer of the ureter and renal pelvis| for information on treatment of transitional cell cancer.