Definition
A kidney tumour is an abnormal growth of tissue originating in the kidney. Tumours may be benign (non‑cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and arise from various cell types within renal tissue.
Overview
Kidney tumours encompass a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that differ in histology, clinical behaviour, and prognosis. The most common malignant form in adults is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for the majority of kidney cancers worldwide. In children, the most frequent malignant renal tumour is Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma). Benign renal tumours include oncocytoma, angiomyolipoma, and renal adenoma. The incidence of kidney tumours varies by region and demographic factors; RCC incidence is approximately 2–3 per 100,000 individuals per year in high‑income countries, with higher rates observed in males and older adults.
Etymology / Origin
- Kidney: Derived from Old English cyrn, related to the Proto‑Germanic kurnaz, meaning “organ that filters.”
- Tumour: Borrowed from Middle French tumeur, which originates from Latin tumor, meaning “swelling” or “bulge.”
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Histological Types | • Renal cell carcinoma (clear‑cell, papillary, chromophobe, collecting‑duct) • Wilms tumour (embryonal) • Oncocytoma (benign) • Angiomyolipoma (benign, composed of blood vessels, smooth muscle, fat) |
| Clinical Presentation | • Hematuria (blood in urine) • Flank or abdominal pain • Palpable mass • Paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., hypertension, erythropoietin excess) • Asymptomatic detection on imaging |
| Diagnostic Approaches | • Imaging: ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) • Laboratory: serum creatinine, hemoglobin, urine cytology (limited sensitivity) • Histopathology: biopsy or surgical specimen examination |
| Treatment Modalities | • Surgical: partial or radical nephrectomy • Ablative therapies: radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation (selected cases) • Systemic therapy for advanced RCC: targeted agents (e.g., VEGF inhibitors), immunotherapy (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors) • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are primary for Wilms tumour, often combined with surgery |
| Prognosis | Varies with tumour type, stage, and histologic grade. Localised RCC has a 5‑year survival rate above 90 %, while metastatic disease reduces survival substantially. Wilms tumour, when treated according to established protocols, has an overall survival exceeding 90 % in favourable‑risk groups. |
Related Topics
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma)
- Angiomyolipoma
- Oncocytoma
- Nephrectomy (partial and radical)
- Kidney imaging modalities (ultrasound, CT, MRI)
- Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with renal tumours
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy for kidney cancer
- Pediatric oncology of renal tumours.