FINDING AND DIAGNOSING ccRCC CAN BE HARD
When doctors find a tumor or mass, the first thing they need to know is if it is cancer. Then, they must find out what specific type of cancer it is, as this can determine what is done next.1
Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans can detect kidney tumors and confirm if they are solid or fluid filled (cystic).1 However, they are often unable to provide doctors with conclusive information about the nature of the tumor.2
In kidney cancer, doctors often surgically remove the entire tumor (a partial nephrectomy, pronounced nuh-frek-tuh-me), then send it to a lab. The tissue sample is evaluated to see if cancer cells are present and if so, which type of cancer it is. Then, doctors can recommend the best treatment option for that specific cancer.1

Talking with your doctor about your options
It’s important to talk with your doctor about a care plan that can help you manage any treatment side effects.1

A CA9 PET scan may help diagnose ccRCC and improve shared decision making between people and their doctors6
SEE HOWCA9, carbonic anhydrase 9; CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET, positron emission tomography.
References: 1. Cleveland Clinic. Renal cell carcinoma. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24906-renal-cell-carcinoma 2. Cleveland Clinic. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22273-clear-cell-renal-cell-carcinoma 3. Mayo Clinic. Kidney cancer. Published May 25, 2022. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352669 4. Sharma K, Slawski B. Renal disease and the surgical patient: minimizing the impact. Cleve Clin J Med. 2018;85(7):559-567. 5. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Active surveillance for kidney cancer. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/kidney-cancer/active-surveillance-for-kidney-cancer 6. Hekman MCH, Rijpkema M, Aarntzen EH, et al. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography with 89Zr-girentuximab can aid in diagnostic dilemmas of clear cell renal cell carcinoma suspicion. Eur Urol. 2018;74(3):257-260.