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I D Cancer Center
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  • Renal Medullary Cancer

Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) | Symptoms & Treatment | I D Cancer Center

Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) is a rare and highly aggressive kidney cancer, usually affecting young individuals, especially those with sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. Because RMC progresses rapidly, early diagnosis and timely treatment at a specialized cancer center are extremely important.

At I D Cancer Center, Lucknow, we provide advanced diagnostic tools, personalized treatment plans, and multi-disciplinary care to achieve the best possible outcomes.

What Is Renal Medullary Carcinoma?

RMC arises from the renal medulla, the innermost part of the kidney responsible for concentrating urine.
It is known for:

  • Fast growth and spread

  • Occurrence in younger age groups (often 10–40 years)

  • Strong association with sickle cell trait

Although rare, RMC is one of the most aggressive kidney cancers, requiring expert evaluation and comprehensive care.

Who Is at Risk?

The most important risk factor for RMC is:

✔ Sickle Cell Trait

People carrying a single sickle cell gene (HbAS) are at significantly higher risk.

Other Factors

  • Sickle cell disease (rarely)

  • Male gender (more commonly affected)

  • Family history of kidney cancer

  • Chronic inflammation in the kidneys

Symptoms of Renal Medullary Carcinoma

Symptoms may appear suddenly and progress rapidly.
Common signs include:

  • Blood in urine (hematuria)

  • Flank pain (pain in the side of the abdomen/back)

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Abdominal mass or swelling

  • Recurrent fever

  • Nausea or loss of appetite

Seek evaluation if you have sickle cell trait and experience persistent urinary or abdominal symptoms.

How RMC Is Diagnosed at I D Cancer Center

Early and accurate diagnosis requires advanced imaging and pathology. We follow global guidelines:

Diagnostic Tests

  • Ultrasound of kidney – Initial screening

  • CT scan abdomen/pelvis – Most important imaging

  • MRI kidney – Detailed tissue evaluation

  • Urine tests – For blood, protein, and infection

  • Biopsy – Confirms diagnosis with special staining

  • Genetic testing – Sometimes used for rare mutations

Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center

Because RMC grows quickly, treatment often combines multiple methods. Our multidisciplinary team customizes care for each patient.

1. Chemotherapy (Main Treatment)

RMC responds best to systemic chemotherapy.
Common regimens include:

  • Platinum-based chemotherapy

  • Taxane-based combinations

  • Dose‐dense protocols in aggressive disease

Goals: control tumor growth, relieve symptoms, and prolong survival.

2. Targeted Therapy

For select patients, targeted drugs may be used to block cancer growth pathways.
Examples include:

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

  • Anti-angiogenic therapies

Used alone or with chemotherapy.

3. Immunotherapy

Emerging evidence supports the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in some RMC cases:

  • Pembrolizumab

  • Nivolumab

These enhance the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.

4. Surgery

Surgery is considered when:

  • The tumor is localized

  • It causes symptoms

  • It is part of a combined treatment plan

Types include:

  • Partial nephrectomy (rarely)

  • Radical nephrectomy – Complete removal of kidney

In many cases, surgery is combined with chemotherapy.

5. Supportive and Palliative Care

We offer:

  • Pain management

  • Nutritional support

  • Psychological counselling

  • Symptom-directed care

Aim: improve quality of life throughout treatment.

Prognosis

RMC is aggressive, but early diagnosis and prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Patients with sickle cell trait should seek early medical attention for urinary or abdominal symptoms.