The stages of renal cell carcinoma are categorized through a system called Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM). Here is a short description what each letter stands for:

  • T: Is a descriptor of the size of the primary tumor, measured by a scale of 0 to 4.
  • N: Indicates whether or not the cancer has invaded lymph nodes. The scale goes from 0 to 3.
  • M: This unit indicates the degree to which the disease has metastasized  and affected other organs.
Before we look into the different stages of renal cell carcinoma, one quick word regarding the so called 5-year-survival rates. Here is my personal opinion. Baloney!!! Why? Because a cancer patient who is still alive after 5 years after his diagnosis, is being considered cured, even though he might soon thereafter because of his disease. On the other hand, I don't want to be too harsh here. After all, we need a point of reference, and if 5 years is the magic number, so be it. However, just keep that in mind when you look at those percentages.

Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma

According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival rate for a Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma is 81%. A TNM pathology of T1, N0, M0 means that the primary tumor is 7cm or less in diameter and has not spread outside the kidney. A Stage 1 Kidney Cancer is highly curable through a surgery in which a part of the kidney or the entire organ will be removed (partial or radical nephrectomy).

Stage 2 Renal Cell Carcinoma

T2, N0, M0 corresponds to a Stage 2 Renal Cell Carcinoma. It means that the tumor is larger than 7cm in diameter, but still confined to the kidney. The survival rate for a Stage 2 Kidney Cancer is 74%, according to the American Cancer Society. Like Stage 1 and since the cancer hasn't spread yet, the situation can be taken under control through surgery.

Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma

T3, N0, M0 (or T1-T3, N1, M0) means that the tumor has spread, either to a nearby lymph node or a vein. A Stage 3 renal cell carcinoma treatment is much more difficult and the 5 year survival rate is 53 %.

Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma

A Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma is the most difficult to treat form of kidney cancer, because at this point the disease had metastasized and invaded other organs. After 5 years, only 8% of all patients with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma are still alive. Oncologist may try to treat the cancer with chemotherapy and radiation; however, those treatment options only have limited success.

Afinitor is one of drugs that is being used to treat patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.





As with all cancers, the sooner it is being detected the better are the chances of success. Even though my entire left kidney had to be removed through a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, I was fortunate enough that the cancer was still confined to the kidney.