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Introduction

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for approximately 90% of primary renal tumors.  It is among the top ten most common cancers worldwide, occurring approximately twice as often in male compared to female patients.  RCC typically occurs in patients age 60-70.  The incidence rates have been increasing over the past several decades across many populations.  This is partly attributed to the increased use of cross-sectional imaging, leading to more incidental discoveries of small renal masses.  However, despite earlier detection, mortality rates have remained relatively stable, suggesting a true increase in disease occurrence.

Pathophysiology

RCC develops when cells in the proximal renal tubules in the renal cortex undergo genetic alterations, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division.  The most common genetic alteration in RCC involves the von Hippel-Lindau

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