Papillary renal cell carcinoma type II has a poor prognosis. Papillary renal cell carcinoma type II is a high-grade tumor, which is prone to metastasis and has a poorer prognosis. However, a comprehensive analysis of multiple factors such as grading and staging of the tumor revealed that histological subtype could not be an independent prognostic influencing factor, and anatomical factors, clinical factors and molecular factors should also be considered. Anatomical factors included the size of the tumor, whether it invaded the veins, the renal peritoneum and the ipsilateral renal glands, and whether there were lymph node metastases and distant metastases. Clinical factors include physical status score, local symptoms, anemia, platelet count and so on. Usually papillary renal cell carcinoma has a better prognosis than clear cell carcinoma, with a 5-year survival of about 91%. Papillary renal cell carcinoma should be treated in accordance with doctor’s prescription actively and build up confidence to overcome the disease.