About RMC

About Renal Medullary Carcinoma

Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) is a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer. It is most commonly associated with sickle cell trait and primarily affects adolescents and young adults.

RMC can be difficult to diagnose because it is rare and its symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. Greater awareness and understanding of RMC are important in helping people recognise the condition and supporting continued research into its causes, diagnosis and treatment.

1995
RMC was first described as a distinct cancer.

Young people
RMC commonly affects adolescents and young adults.

Strongly linked to sickle cell
Most reported cases are associated with sickle cell trait or another sickle cell haemoglobinopathy.

Who does RMC affect?

A 2026 systematic review of published RMC cases found that 74% of patients whose ethnicity was reported were Black. Among patients whose sickle cell status was known, 88% had a sickle cell haemoglobinopathy, such as sickle cell trait or another sickle cell condition.

RMC predominantly affects adolescents and young adults, particularly those who carry sickle cell trait (HbAS). It has also been reported in people with other sickle haemoglobin conditions, although cases without an identified sickle cell haemoglobinopathy are exceptionally rare.

Sickle cell trait is more common among people with ancestry from regions where malaria has historically been prevalent, including parts of Africa, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and South Asia. However, people of any ethnicity can carry sickle cell trait.

Importantly, most people with sickle cell trait will never develop RMC. The cancer remains exceptionally rare, even among those who carry the trait. Many people with sickle cell trait have no symptoms and may be unaware that they carry it.

Understanding sickle cell trait

Sickle cell trait is an inherited genetic characteristic that occurs when a person carries one usual haemoglobin gene and one sickle haemoglobin gene.

Unlike sickle cell disease, people with sickle cell trait generally lead healthy lives without experiencing symptoms or complications. However, carrying the trait is strongly associated with RMC.

Someone can carry sickle cell trait without knowing it, particularly if they have never been tested or are unaware of their newborn screening results.

A blood test can identify whether someone carries sickle cell trait. If you are unsure of your sickle cell status, you can speak to your GP about testing.

Having sickle cell trait does not mean you will develop RMC. The condition is extremely rare, and research is continuing to improve our understanding of why it develops in a small number of people.