Sustained fever without evidence of infection can cause medical worries and lead to detailed investigation. While infection is the most common cause, persistent unexplained fever can also be a sign of underlying autoimmune diseases or cancers. Kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is one type of cancer that may present with persistent fever.

Dr. Iti Parikh, a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Bhailal Amin General Hospital in Gujarat, explains that kidney cancer often does not show symptoms in its early stages. Patients are usually diagnosed incidentally during unrelated imaging tests. The classic symptoms of RCC, such as flank pain, blood in urine, and abdominal mass, are only present in a small percentage of patients.

Approximately 20% of RCC cases involve fever, which is usually intermittent and accompanied by weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue. The cause of fever in these cases is often unknown but can indicate advanced or systemic disease.

The most common type of kidney cancer is clear cell renal cell carcinoma, accounting for 80-85% of cases. Diagnosis typically begins with an abdominal ultrasound, followed by a CT scan for further evaluation. PET-CT scans may be used to determine the extent of the disease.

If the cancer is localized, surgery to remove the tumor is the preferred treatment. Depending on the tumor's size and location, a partial or total nephrectomy may be performed. Post-surgery, the tissue is analyzed to determine the cancer stage and the need for additional treatment.

For advanced or metastatic RCC, systemic therapy such as immunotherapy or oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors is the main treatment option. RCC does not respond well to standard chemotherapy but has shown significant benefits from immunotherapy.

Several risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and long-term use of certain pain medications. Exposure to chemicals at work and family history may also increase the risk of developing kidney cancer.

RCC is more common in males, with an average age of onset between 60-80 years. Recent advancements in immunotherapy have improved the five-year survival rate for kidney cancer to nearly 75%.