Overview
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a rare type of kidney cancer that starts in the cells lining the small tubes inside the kidney. It accounts for about 5% of all kidney cancers, making it one of the less common subtypes. The name 'chromophobe' comes from how the cancer cells look under a microscope — they do not absorb certain stains as strongly as other kidney cancer cells do. Many people with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma have no symptoms in the early stages. As the tumor grows, symptoms may include blood in the urine, pain in the side or lower back, a lump or mass in the kidney area, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue. The cancer is often found by accident during imaging tests done for other reasons. Compared to the more common clear cell type of kidney cancer, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma generally has a better outlook. It tends to grow more slowly and is less likely to spread to other parts of the body. Surgery to remove part or all of the affected kidney is the main treatment and is often curative when the cancer is caught early. For cases that have spread, treatment options include targeted therapies and immunotherapy, though these are less well studied specifically for the chromophobe subtype. Most cases occur sporadically, but a small number are linked to genetic conditions such as Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.
Key symptoms:
Blood in the urine (may appear pink, red, or brown)Pain or aching in the side or lower backA lump or mass felt in the abdomen or sideUnexplained weight lossFatigue or feeling very tiredLoss of appetiteFever that comes and goes without infectionNight sweatsSwelling in the legs or anklesHigh blood pressure
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsMayo Clinic
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — EARLY_PHASE1
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center — NA
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE2
Mayo Clinic
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.
6 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
1 articlesCaregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and has it spread beyond the kidney?,Is surgery an option for me, and would you recommend partial or full kidney removal?,Should I be tested for Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome or other hereditary conditions?,What is my expected prognosis based on the specific features of my tumor?,Are there clinical trials available specifically for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma?,How often will I need follow-up imaging and blood tests after treatment?,Should my family members be screened for kidney cancer or genetic conditions?
Common questions about Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
What is Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma?
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a rare type of kidney cancer that starts in the cells lining the small tubes inside the kidney. It accounts for about 5% of all kidney cancers, making it one of the less common subtypes. The name 'chromophobe' comes from how the cancer cells look under a microscope — they do not absorb certain stains as strongly as other kidney cancer cells do. Many people with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma have no symptoms in the early stages. As the tumor grows, symptoms may include blood in the urine, pain in the side or lower back, a lump or mass in the kidne
How is Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma inherited?
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.