Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the kidneys. The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs. They are found just above the waist, on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter blood and make urine.
The main types are:
There are different types of renal cell carcinoma depending on where they start in the kidney.
Cancer is when cells in the body split without control or order. These cells go on to form a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to harmful growths. These growths attack nearby tissues. They also spread to other parts of the body. It is not clear exactly what causes these problems. It’s likely a mix of genes and the environment.
Kidney cancer is more common in men, and in people over 50 years old. Your chances of kidney cancer are higher for:
Kidney cancer may cause:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. Kidney cancer is usually found during a routine imaging test. Further testing may include:
The exam and your test results will help find out the stage of cancer you have. Staging guides your treatment. Kidney cancer is staged from 1-4. Stage 1 is a very localized cancer. Stage 4 is a spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer treatment varies depending on the stage and type of cancer. Some methods may be combined. These include:
Surgery is done to remove as much cancer as possible. Nearby lymph nodes or other sites with cancer will also be removed. A nephrectomy may be:
Ablation is the use of heat or cold is to destroy cancer cells. Surgery can also be used to ease problems if cancer has spread.
This is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors after surgery. External radiation therapy is aimed at a tumor from a source outside the body.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may given by mouth, shots, or IV. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
Medicines are used to help the immune system fight and kill cancer cells.
These medicines block tumors from growing and spreading. It may be used with other methods.
American Cancer Society
Kidney Cancer Association
Canadian Cancer Society
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
General information about renal cell cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/patient/kidney-treatment-pdq. Updated May 11, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018.
Kidney cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer.html. Accessed July 30, 2018.
Renal cell carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114704/R...l-cell-carcinoma. Updated May 31, 2017. Accessed July 30, 2018.
Renal cell carcinoma. Merck Manual Professional version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/genitourinary-cancer/renal-cell-carcinoma. Updated October 2017. Accessed July 30, 2018.
10/1/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance. http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T576498/Compl...tions-of-obesity: Bhaskaran K, Douglas I, Forbes H, et al. Body-mass index and risk of 22 specific cancers: a population-based cohort study of 5.24 million UK adults. Lancet. 2014;384(9945):755-765.
Last reviewed June 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.