Renal Cell Carcinoma

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Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis & Tests

Palpation of the abdomen may show a mass or organ enlargement, particularly of the kidney or liver. There may be a testicular varicocele.

• A CBC may show increased red blood cells (RBC) caused by stimulation of RBC production by the tumor. More commonly, though, it shows a decrease in RBC count.
• The RBC in urine is increased.
• Serum calcium levels may increase because of hormonal changes resulting from the tumor.
• The SGPT and alkaline phosphatase may be elevated.
• A urine cytology examination may show carcinoma cells.
• Liver function tests may show involvement of the liver from metastasis, or may be abnormal without metastasis.
• An ultrasound of the abdomen and kidney may show the tumor.
• Kidney X-ray may indicate a tumor or calcification.
• IVP may indicate obstruction by the tumor.
• Renal arteriography may show the tumor if it is highly vascular.

• An abdominal CT scan shows the kidney tumor and may show a liver mass.
• Sometimes an abdominal MRI has to be done to determine if the tumor involves any surrounding blood vessels and to determine whether it can be surgically removed.
• A chest X-ray may show mass in the chest.
• A bone scan may show involvement of the bones.