Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Introduction:
Cancer arising from the kidney parenchyma. The most common histologic type is clear cell; less common types include papillary and chromophobe.
Prevalence: Uncommon Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
"Distribution of metastatic sites in renal cell carcinoma: a population-based analysis." Ann Oncol. 2011 Sep 2. PMID: 21890909
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001 Sep;177(3):653-8. PMID: 11517065
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Kidney | Solid, Cystic, Hyperenhancing | Appearance can vary widely. (see Radiographics. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6):1795-806 PMID: 17102051) |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | most common site |
| Bone | Common | Lytic | |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | ||
| Surrounding Tissue | Common | nephrectomy fossa |
|
| Renal Vein | Common | ||
| Distant Lymph Nodes | Uncommon | ||
| Liver | Uncommon | Hyperenhancing, Arterially Enhancing | |
| Adrenal Glands | Rare | ||
| Brain | Rare | ||
| Retroperitoneum | Rare | ||
| Pleura | Very Rare | ||
| Bladder | Very Rare | ||
| Mediastinum | Very Rare | ||
| Kidney | Very Rare | (as a metastasis) |
|
| Colon | Very Rare | ||
| Small Intestine | Very Rare | ||
| Ovary | Very Rare | ||
| Pancreas | Very Rare | Hyperenhancing | 
|
| Bronchus | Very Rare | PMID: 16475029 PMID: 11259704 PMID: 11243955 |
|
| Muscle | Very Rare | especially erector spinae |
|
| Gallbladder | Very Rare |
|