Types of Cancer » Renal Cell Cancer

renal cell cancer The most common type of kidney cancer. It begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. The renal tubules filter the blood and produce urine. Also called hypernephroma.

renal artery The main blood vessel that supplies blood to a kidney and its nearby adrenal gland and ureter. There is a renal artery for each kidney.

renal capsule The fibrous connective tissue that surrounds each kidney.

renal collecting tubule The last part of a long, twisting tube that collects urine from the nephrons (cellular structures in the kidney that filter blood and form urine) and moves it into the renal pelvis and ureters. Also called collecting duct.

renal fascia A fibrous envelope of tissue that surrounds the kidney. Also called Gerota's fascia and Gerota's capsule.

renal glomerulus A tiny, round cluster of blood vessels within the kidneys. It filters the blood to reabsorb useful materials and remove waste as urine.

renal pelvis The area at the center of the kidney. Urine collects here and is funneled into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.

renal tubular acidosis (REE-nal TOO-bu-lar as-ih-DO-sis) A rare disorder in which structures in the kidney that filter the blood are impaired, producing urine that is more acid than normal.

stage I renal cell cancer (REE-nul) The tumor is 7 centimeters or smaller and is found in the kidney only. Also called stage I kidney cancer.

stage II renal cell cancer (REE-nul) The tumor is larger than 7 centimeters and is found in the kidney only. Also called stage II kidney cancer.

stage III renal cell cancer (REE-nul) Cancer is found in (1) the kidney and in 1 nearby lymph node; or (2) an adrenal gland or in the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney, and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node; or (3) the main blood vessels of the kidney and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node. Also called stage III kidney cancer.

stage IV renal cell cancer (REE-nul) Cancer has spread (1) beyond the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node; or (2) to 2 or more nearby lymph nodes; or (3) to other organs, such as the bowel, pancreas, or lungs, and may be found in nearby lymph nodes. Also called stage IV kidney cancer.