Are renal cell carcinoma and kidney cancer the same thing?

Written by Li Yuan Wei
Urology
Updated on May 05, 2025
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Kidney cancer is one of the types included in the simplified classification of renal tumors. Generally, kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma, renal adenoma, adrenal adenoma, and papillary cystadenocarcinoma, which are commonly encompassed within the scope of kidney cancer. Simply put, kidney cancer is a category in clinical diagnostic examinations. Renal cell carcinoma belongs to the pathological classification of renal tumors, and typically includes conventional types of renal cell carcinoma, such as the commonly mentioned clear cell carcinoma, which is the most common type. Additionally, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and collecting duct carcinoma are also types of renal cell carcinoma.

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Can kidney cancer patients eat eggs?

Patients with kidney cancer can eat eggs. Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor of the kidney, originating from the epithelial cells of the renal tubules. Although this disease is a malignant tumor, the patient's body still needs nutrients. Therefore, high-protein foods can be consumed by patients, and they should maintain a protein intake roughly the same as that of healthy individuals. Eggs are rich in protein, with each egg containing about seven to eight grams of protein. Kidney cancer patients can eat eggs without worsening their condition or causing the disease to spread. The folk saying that some foods are "stimulating" is not scientifically founded. Currently, there is no clear evidence in medicine to support the claim that eggs and beef are "stimulating."

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What are the common symptoms of kidney cancer?

Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor of the renal parenchymal tissue. Some patients do not have specific symptoms, especially in the early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may find a mass in the abdomen. Some patients may experience back pain due to the enlargement of the kidney pressing against the renal capsule. Some patients experience bleeding due to the gradual rupture of the tumor, causing visible blood in the urine, which sometimes appears as painless throughout the blood in the urine. These symptoms may indicate the presence of a malignant tumor in the kidney, and diagnosis needs to be confirmed through ultrasound and CT scans.

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Written by Li Yuan Wei
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Is nephroblastoma a type of kidney cancer?

From a broad perspective, nephroblastoma belongs to kidney cancer, but its characteristics are still different. Nephroblastoma, also known as Wilms' tumor or embryonal tumor of the kidney, is the most common malignant kidney tumor in children, generally 80% of cases occur before the age of five, with an average age of about 3.5 years. The main manifestation is an abdominal mass, most often incidentally discovered by parents or doctors. Diagnosis is generally made through renal ultrasound as an initial screening, while renal CT and MRI can clearly show the extent of the tumor and the surrounding lymph nodes and organs, and whether renal blood vessels are involved. Chest X-rays or CT scans can determine if there are any lung metastases.

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Is kidney cancer the same as uremia?

Kidney cancer cannot be equated with uremia. Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor of the kidney. Its treatment can be through surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and so on. Uremia, on the other hand, is the end-stage development of various kidney diseases. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by the loss of most or all kidney function, leading to sodium and water retention, various electrolyte disorders, and the accumulation of toxins such as urea nitrogen and creatinine. The treatment of uremia relies on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. Although kidney cancer is not uremia, severe kidney cancer can also develop into uremia. At that time, blood replacement therapy is also needed.

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Is kidney cancer prone to metastasis?

Kidney cancer in its early stages generally does not metastasize. If it does metastasize, it usually follows several paths: one is hematogenous or lymphatic spread, followed by local diffusion, and then the tumor invades surrounding fat or blood vessels, which is local diffusion. It is also important to note that there is a pseudo-capsule around the kidney cancer that prevents the spread of cancer cells. Metastasis is not likely when the tumor is small, but as the tumor size increases or in some special types of tumor cells, metastasis may occur.