What Does Stage-4 Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma Mean?

Clear cell renal carcinoma--which appears pale or clear when viewed with a microscope--is easily the most common form of kidney cancer. Stage IV cases represent the most serious manifestation of this disease.

Clear Cell Carcinoma

• The American Cancer Society reports that renal cell carcinomas, which differ from each other mainly in their microscopic appearance, comprise roughly 90 percent of all kidney cancers. Clear cell carcinomas account for roughly 80 percent of all renal cell carcinomas.

Cancer Staging

• Staging of renal cell cancer takes into account factors that include tumor size and location, extent of spread to nearby lymph nodes and whether the cancer has spread to other organs, according to the ACS. Classification of renal cancer ranges from stage I to stage IV (least advanced to most advanced).

Stage IV Cancer

• Stage IV renal cell cancers have typically passed through the fatty layer surrounding the kidneys and invaded nearby or distant lymph nodes or organs, according to the ACS.

Survival Rate

• The ACS cites a five-year survival rate for stage IV renal cell carcinomas of 23 percent.

Considerations

• The National Cancer Institute notes that renal cell carcinomas that spread to other areas of the body still retain the physical characteristics of kidney cancer.