Kidney Cancer Types

January 7, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Walter Stadler, M.D., professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Chicago

There are many types of kidney cancer, which are typically named based on how the cells look under a microscope or the type of cells in which the cancer begins. Some types may have characteristics similar to others, but knowing the type and subtype of kidney cancer helps doctors know how to treat it and whether or not a kidney cancer syndrome passed down in families is a factor.

There are more than 20 different types of cancer that may affect the kidneys, several of which are listed below.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

About 90% of people diagnosed with kidney cancer have a type called renal cell carcinoma, also called renal cell adenocarcinoma. Renal cells are located within the tubules of the kidneys. These tiny tubes filter waste from the blood, produce urine and return clean blood for circulation throughout the body. In renal cell carcinoma, this is where the cancer starts.

Most people who have renal cell carcinoma have one tumor in one kidney, but sometimes there may be multiple tumors in one or both kidneys.

Renal cell carcinoma has many subtypes, typically named for how their cells look under a microscope.

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma makes up about 70% of renal cell carcinomas, making it the most common subtype. Under a microscope, these cells look very pale or clear, like bubbles. This type of cancer may run in families, but not always. Treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma typically includes surgery to remove part or all of the kidney, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. In advanced kidney cancer, other treatments that destroy cancer cells, such as radiation therapy and heat or cold therapies, may be employed.

Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma

Papillary renal cell carcinoma is the next most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma, making up about 15% of cases. Sometimes this cancer is called chromophilic because it absorbs specific dyes when viewed under a microscope. Traditionally, pathologists have classified these as papillary type 1 and papillary type 2 cancers. But more recently, it has been recognized that papillary type 2 cancer actually represents a collection of unique kidney cancers.

Specialty care from experts is important when fighting papillary renal cell carcinoma, and each patient’s treatment plan is individualized. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma

About 5% of renal cell carcinomas are chromophobe renal cell carcinomas. Their cells are clear, large and have distinct features that make them recognizable. They tend to grow slowly and not spread, but if they do, they may spread quickly. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma may run in families as a symptom of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, a rare condition that may cause cysts and benign tumors on the skin, lung and kidneys. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for this subtype of kidney cancer in earlier stages. Advanced stages may involve targeted drug therapy or immunotherapy.

Clear Cell Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma is rare and makes up less than 4% of renal cell carcinoma cases. Recognized in 2016 by the World Health Organization as a distinct type of renal cell carcinoma, it bears some characteristics of clear cell renal carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma, but it also has its own distinct features. It may appear very similar to clear cell carcinoma, but clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma is typically non-aggressive and very slow growing.

Collecting Duct Carcinoma

Collecting duct carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that begins in the kidney’s collecting ducts, where water and electrolytes are reabsorbed into the bloodstream during the production of urine. This is an extremely rare type of cancer with fewer than 1,000 people in the United States having been diagnosed with it. It tends to affect people between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Symptoms do not tend to start until the cancer is in an advanced stage.

Unclassified Renal Cell Carcinoma

It is not common, but sometimes doctors find a cancer that does not fit into any of these types or subtypes of kidney cancer based on its appearance under a microscope and other characteristics. Doctors may also call a kidney cancer unclassified if they see it has more than one type of cancer cell.

Less Common Kidney Cancer Types

In addition to these types, there are other, less common kidney cancer types. These include the following.

Urothelial carcinoma: About 5% to 10% of kidney cancers are urothelial carcinomas, also called transitional cell carcinomas. This cancer starts in the lining of the renal pelvis where the kidney connects to the ureter (the tube that carries urine to the bladder).

Wilms tumor: Accounting for about 1% of kidney cancers, Wilms tumors, also called nephroblastoma, are far more common in children than adults.

Renal sarcoma: Less than 1% of kidney cancers are renal sarcomas. This cancer affects the blood vessels and/or the connective tissue that surrounds the kidney.

Benign Kidney Tumors

Some kidney growths are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but they may still cause issues if they grow. The most common type of benign kidney tumor is angiomyolipoma, which is more common in women than men. People with tuberous sclerosis, a genetic condition that may also cause benign tumors on the skin, heart, eyes and lungs, may develop angiomyolipoma, but other people may develop it as well.

Oncocytoma is a very slow-growing tumor that affects more men than women. These tumors may grow quite large, and when they do, surgery is often performed to remove them.

Another type of benign kidney tumor is renal adenoma, which is a very small mass less than 1.5 centimeters in size.

As with cancerous tumors, doctors provide treatment options for benign tumors based on a number of factors, such as the type of tumor, symptoms it may be causing, tumor location and size, and the patient’s health history and overall health. Treatment options for benign tumors typically include surgery or active surveillance. With active surveillance, doctors monitor any changes in the tumors by doing imaging tests about every three to six months for the first year.