National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Collecting duct carcinoma


Other Names:
CDC; Collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney; Renal collecting duct carcinoma; CDC; Collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney; Renal collecting duct carcinoma; Bellini’s duct carcinoma; BDC; Bellini carcinoma; Bellini duct carcinoma See More
Categories:
Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer that begins in the collecting duct of the kidney.[1] Many people with CDC have no signs or symptoms until the cancer is at an advanced stage.[2] Symptoms may include flank pain, unexplained weight loss, or blood in the urine. Although it can affect people of all ages, CDC tends to occur in younger patients.[1] The exact cause of CDC is unknown. It usually occurs in people with no family history of the condition.[1] Treatment options for CDC may include surgery and/or chemotherapy.[2]
Last updated: 3/28/2016
Treatment of collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) may include surgery to remove the kidney. Chemotherapy may also be given. The authors of a 2013 review article mentioned that gemcitabine and cisplatin should be considered the standard of care for chemotherapy treatment of metastatic CDC. This treatment regimen is similar to what is given for transitional cell carcinoma, also known as urothelial carcinoma. Immunotherapy was not shown to be effective in treating CDC. There are a few reports of promising results from targeted therapy such as sunitinib or sorafenib. Studies are underway to learn more about these treatment options.[2]
Last updated: 3/28/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Collecting duct carcinoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The Kidney Cancer Association offers additional information on Collecting duct carcinoma. Please click on the link to access this resource.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Collecting duct carcinoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Michael B Atkins, MD; Toni K Choueiri, MD. Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma. UpToDate. March 2015; Accessed 7/6/2015.
  2. Dason S, Allard C, Sheridan-Jonah A, Gill J, Jamshaid H, Aziz T, Kajal B, Kapoor A. Management of renal collecting duct carcinoma: a systematic review and the McMaster experience. Current Oncology. June 2013; 20(3):e223-32. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3671029.