Kidney cancer specialists: 3 things to know about renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the scientific name for kidney cancer. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma accounts for about 75% of all new kidney cancer cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
The remaining 25% fall under the umbrella term of “non-clear cell kidney cancer.” These include many different subtypes, such as papillary kidney cancer, chromophobe kidney cancer, renal medullary carcinoma, collecting duct kidney cancer,...
Which blood tests show cancer?
PSA tests can detect elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, which are sometimes a sign of prostate cancer. And complete...
Mom's legacy lives on through fundraising for UT MD Anderson
Last updated March 19, 2026
Alex Heard’s mom, Kelli, was his best friend.
“When I was younger, I would lie on her and watch...
4 things to know about kidney biopsies
At MD Anderson, our dedicated interventional radiologists perform around 500 kidney biopsies a year. Nearly all of them are guided by advanced imaging technology. This approach allows us to pinpoint the most effective locations to extract tissue samples from, ensuring both accuracy and precision.
But what insights can a kidney biopsy provide about this vital organ? Why would your doctor recommend one? And, most importantly, will...
Blood in urine (hematuria): What causes it and what to do about it
It can be scary to see blood in your urine. While there is cause for concern, you shouldn’t panic. There can be many reasons for blood in...
Understanding kidney pain: Common causes, symptoms and when to get checked out
Kidney cancers don’t generally cause pain in patients before diagnosis. That’s because the most common types of kidney cancer tend to grow...
Renal medullary carcinoma: 5 things to know about this rare and aggressive kidney cancer
Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare and extremely aggressive kidney cancer. In the United States, it is diagnosed most frequently among...
Renal medullary carcinoma, sickle cell trait and high-intensity exercise: What’s the connection?
Very few people will be diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma this year. But of those who are, about 60% will be young Black men who carry...
Innovative cancer treatment saves renal medullary carcinoma patient and her pregnancy
Every cancer patient’s situation is unique. But Heather Williams’ was exceptional.
The ER nurse from North Carolina was only...
What's the best way to quit smoking?
Smoking is on the decline. But if you are one of the 28 million Americans still smoking, you probably know how hard it is to quit.