Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Outlook

Understand clear cell renal cell carcinoma, its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Understand clear cell renal cell carcinoma, its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC): Overview

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer, characterized by cancerous cells in the kidney’s filtering tubules that appear clear or pale under a microscope. This form of cancer predominantly affects adults, especially men between 50 and 70 years old, and is sometimes referred to as conventional renal cell carcinoma.
Renal cell carcinoma, in general, accounts for about 85% of all kidney cancers, with ccRCC making up approximately 75-80% of these cases.

What Is Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma?

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is a malignancy originating in the cells lining the tiny tubules in your kidneys responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.
The distinctive clear appearance of these cancer cells is due to the accumulation of fat and carbohydrates. ccRCC typically forms a single mass or tumor in one kidney but can sometimes occur in both kidneys or present as multiple tumors.

Location: Begins in the kidneys, organs located on either side of the spine in the lower back.
Cellular Appearance: Cells appear clear or bubble-like under the microscope.
Commonality: Most prevalent type of kidney cancer in adults.

How Common Is ccRCC?

ccRCC is the most common variant of renal cell carcinoma in adults, accounting for 75–80% of all RCC cases.
Each year, more than 81,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney cancer, the majority being ccRCC.
This subtype is rare in children, comprising only 2–6% of pediatric kidney cancer cases.
Globally, kidney cancer affects over 400,000 people annually.

Frequency: Most often in adults aged 50–70.
Sex: More common in men than women (about 2x).
Family Link: Some genetic forms exist and may affect multiple relatives.

Symptoms of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Many individuals do not notice symptoms in the early stages of ccRCC. Tumors are often found incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions.
When symptoms do arise, they’re typically associated with the tumor’s impact on surrounding tissues.

Blood in urine (hematuria): Rusty, pink, or cola-colored urine due to bleeding into the urinary tract.
Flank pain: Discomfort on the side of the affected kidney, often persistent.
Mass or lump: Growth or swelling detectable in the abdomen or side.
Unexplained weight loss: Loss of appetite and significant, unintended decrease in weight.
Fatigue: Feeling persistently tired or weak.
Fever: Sometimes recurrent fevers not explained by other causes.
Other signs: Symptoms like elevated blood calcium, anemia, and high platelet count may be present.

Only about 10% of patients experience the classic triad of blood in urine, flank pain, and a palpable abdominal mass.
Other symptoms could be related to paraneoplastic syndromes — substances released by the tumor causing hormonal or metabolic changes.

Causes and Risk Factors

The precise causes of ccRCC are not fully understood. Most cases arise sporadically, but certain risk factors increase susceptibility.

Genetic mutations: Alterations in the VHL gene are strongly linked to ccRCC, whether inherited (as in Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome) or acquired.

Risk Factor	Details
Smoking	Significantly increases risk
High blood pressure (hypertension)	Long-term hypertension is a known risk
Obesity	Higher BMI increases likelihood
Long-term dialysis	Chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients are at increased risk
Exposure to toxins	Environmental exposures (heavy metals, industrial solvents)
Family history	Inherited cancer syndromes (such as VHL)
Male sex	Men are twice as affected as women
Age	Most common between ages 50 and 70

Diagnosis of ccRCC

Diagnosing ccRCC involves several steps, often starting after symptoms are noticed or when a kidney mass is discovered incidentally.

Imaging studies: CT scans, MRI, and X-rays to assess tumor size, location, and potential spread.
Biopsy: Removal of a small tissue sample for microscopic examination by a pathologist to confirm cancer type.
Blood and urine tests: Laboratory assessments to evaluate kidney function and detect anemia or other related conditions.

Many tumors are found in people undergoing imaging for unrelated issues, emphasizing the importance of regular screening for high-risk groups.

Treatment Options for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Treatment depends on tumor size, stage, spread, and overall health.
Surgery is the most common intervention, with other therapies available for advanced disease.

Surgery: Often the first choice. May involve removing the tumor (partial nephrectomy) or the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy). Sometimes, surrounding tissue and lymph nodes are also removed.
Targeted therapies: Drugs that specifically block cancer cell growth by interfering with specific molecules (ex: VEGF inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors).
Immunotherapy: Medications that stimulate the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells (ex: checkpoint inhibitors).
Radiation therapy: Used rarely, typically if the cancer has spread or surgery is not possible.
Active surveillance: For small tumors or in older adults, careful monitoring may be preferred instead of immediate treatment.

Treatment choices depend on whether ccRCC is localized to the kidney or has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.
Advanced cases may combine multiple therapies for better outcomes.

Prognosis and Outlook

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma prognosis varies significantly depending on stage at diagnosis and individual circumstances.

Localized ccRCC: When the cancer is limited to the kidney, outcomes are generally favorable with surgery. Five-year survival rates may reach 70–90% depending on specific circumstances.
Advanced ccRCC: Spread beyond the kidney lowers survival rates. Even so, innovations in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have improved long-term outcomes for many patients.
Recurrence risk: Some cancers may recur after treatment; ongoing follow-up is essential.

Early detection remains crucial for improving outcomes. Deaths from kidney cancer have declined in recent years, thanks to better treatment methods.

Living With and Managing ccRCC

Managing ccRCC requires a collaborative approach involving oncologists, surgeons, nephrologists, and support teams.
Patients may receive guidance on lifestyle adjustments, symptom management, and psychological support.

Follow-up care: Regular scans and tests are needed to ensure the cancer has not returned.
Support resources: Counseling, support groups, and patient education help cope with the emotional and physical impacts.
Lifestyle factors: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, controlling blood pressure, and regular medical check-ups are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is clear cell renal cell carcinoma?

A: ccRCC is a type of kidney cancer characterized by clear-appearing cells. It is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma in adults.

Q: What causes ccRCC?

A: The exact cause is unknown, but genetic changes (especially in the VHL gene), smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity are major risk factors.

Q: What are the symptoms of ccRCC?

A: Common symptoms include blood in urine, persistent flank pain, abdominal mass, unexplained weight loss, fever, and fatigue. Many patients have no early symptoms.

Q: How is ccRCC diagnosed?

A: Diagnosis usually involves imaging studies (CT, MRI), biopsy, and blood or urine tests.

Q: Is surgery always needed?

A: Surgery is often the first-line treatment, especially for localized ccRCC. Advanced cases may require targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

Q: Can ccRCC be cured?

A: Many cases detected early and treated surgically are curable. Advanced cases may be managed with therapies to control the disease and improve quality of life.

Q: Are there hereditary forms?

A: Yes, certain inherited syndromes like Von Hippel-Lindau disease increase the risk for ccRCC. Family members may require genetic counseling and screening.

Key Takeaways

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common form of kidney cancer, affecting primarily older men.
Early symptoms are often absent, making regular medical evaluations important for at-risk individuals.
Risk factors include genetic mutations, lifestyle choices, environmental exposure, and chronic health conditions.
Comprehensive treatment involves surgery, targeted drugs, and immune therapies — tailored to the cancer’s stage and spread.
With advancements in therapy, patient outcomes have improved, though lifelong monitoring is essential.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete