Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the second most common subtype of kidney cancer and is further subdivided into type I and type II papillary RCC. These two types of papillary RCC could potentially be different in terms of survival outcomes.

This study looked at data from 447 patients who had a partial or radical nephrectomy for papillary RCC. Overall, 54.4% of the patients had type I papillary RCC and 45.6% of the patients had type II papillary RCC. The type II tumours were more likely to be a higher grade, contain dead tumour tissue, and be found in the blood or lymph glands. The study showed that type II papillary RCC had worse disease progression and more deaths caused by the cancer.

Although papillary RCC is the second most common subtype of kidney cancer, it’s features vary according to whether it is type I or type II papillary RCC. Type II papillary RCC is more aggressive and has worse survival outcomes than type I. Also, a higher rate of metastases is seen with type II papillary RCC. These findings suggest more follow-up of patients with type II papillary RCC, as well as individualised treatment strategies for patients diagnosed with papillary RCC.

Read more in Practice Update here