Overview
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (also called clear cell RCC, ccRCC, or conventional renal cell carcinoma) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It starts in the lining of the tiny tubes inside the kidney that help filter blood and make urine. Under a microscope, the cancer cells look pale or 'clear,' which is how the disease gets its name. The cancer can grow slowly or quickly, and it may spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, liver, or brain if not caught early. Common symptoms include blood in the urine, a lump or pain in the side or lower back, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue. Many people have no symptoms at all in the early stages, and the tumor is often found by accident during imaging done for another reason. Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is. Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is the main treatment for early-stage disease and can be curative. For advanced or metastatic disease, targeted therapies and immunotherapy drugs are the backbone of treatment. Several FDA-approved medicines are available, including sunitinib, pazopanib, cabozantinib, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and combination regimens. Research is very active, and new treatments continue to improve outcomes for patients.
Key symptoms:
Blood in the urine (urine may look pink, red, or cola-colored)A lump or mass felt in the side, back, or abdomenPersistent pain in the side or lower backUnexplained weight lossExtreme tiredness or fatigueFever that keeps coming back without infectionLoss of appetiteSwelling in the legs or anklesHigh blood pressure that is hard to controlAnemia (low red blood cell count causing paleness and weakness)Bone pain (if cancer has spread to bones)Shortness of breath (if cancer has spread to lungs)
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsGruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica — PHASE2
SWOG Cancer Research Network — PHASE3
City of Hope Medical Center — PHASE2
UTC Therapeutics Inc. — PHASE1
Ankara University — PHASE3
City of Hope Medical Center — PHASE1
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — PHASE1
Massachusetts General Hospital — PHASE2
Karie Runcie — PHASE2
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableTorisel
Treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersCHI Saint Vincent Cancer Center Hot Springs
📍 Hot Springs, Arkansas
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Herrick Campus
📍 Berkeley, California
Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
📍 Auburn, California
Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Auburn
📍 Auburn, California
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
📍 Burlingame, California
Harvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Clear cell renal carcinoma.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Clear cell renal carcinoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Abscopal Effect of Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiation Plus Immunotherapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Zero Ischemia Robot-Assisted MWA Assisted Suture-less Tumor Enucleation of RCC With T1 Stage
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Substudy 03C: A Study of Combination Therapies in Participants With Renal Cell Carcinoma With Recurrent Disease During or After Anti-PD-(L)1 Therapy (MK-3475-03C/KEYMAKER-U03)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Genetic Evaluation of Renal Cell Carcinoma; Predicting Biomarkers for Renal Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: The Efficacy and Safety of Liangxue Ointment in the Treatment of Hand-foot Syndrome Caused by VEGFR-TKI Drugs
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Planning Operative Strategy Using a Digital Renal Artery Clamping Tool
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of Pazopanib With or Without Abexinostat in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RENAVIV)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Patient-partnered Research in Investigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Kidney Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Trial Of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Oligoprogression on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Phase 2 Study of Combination Tivozanib and Nivolumab in Advanced Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Clear cell renal carcinoma
Caregiver 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 cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Should I have genetic testing to see if I have a hereditary syndrome like VHL disease?,Is surgery an option for me, and would I need to lose the whole kidney or just part of it?,What are the recommended first-line treatments for my stage, and what side effects should I expect?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?,How often will I need imaging and blood tests to monitor for recurrence or progression?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call your office or go to the emergency room right away?
Common questions about Clear cell renal carcinoma
What is Clear cell renal carcinoma?
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (also called clear cell RCC, ccRCC, or conventional renal cell carcinoma) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It starts in the lining of the tiny tubes inside the kidney that help filter blood and make urine. Under a microscope, the cancer cells look pale or 'clear,' which is how the disease gets its name. The cancer can grow slowly or quickly, and it may spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, liver, or brain if not caught early. Common symptoms include blood in the urine, a lump or pain in the side or lower back, unexplaine
At what age does Clear cell renal carcinoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Clear cell renal carcinoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Clear cell renal carcinoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Clear cell renal carcinoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Clear cell renal carcinoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Clear cell renal carcinoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.