Living with Collecting duct carcinoma
A rare, aggressive kidney cancer that often has no early symptoms and tends to affect younger adults.
Understanding Collecting duct carcinoma
Many people have no symptoms until the cancer is advanced. It can affect people of all ages but tends to occur in younger patients. It usually occurs in people with no family history of the condition.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these as possible symptoms:
- Flank pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in the urine
- Often no symptoms until the cancer is advanced
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Kidney Cancer Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Kidney Cancer Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Kidney Cancer Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The exact cause is unknown. It usually occurs in people with no family history of the condition.
Also known as: bdc; bellini carcinoma; bellini duct carcinoma; carcinoma of collecting duct of renal tubule; carcinoma of collecting ducts of bellini; carcinoma of kidney collecting duct
Patient organizations
- Kidney Cancer AssociationCollecting duct carcinoma · United States
- KCCureCollecting duct carcinoma · United States
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Collecting duct carcinoma.
Explore research for Collecting duct carcinoma
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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