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Overview
What Is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer begins when abnormal cells grow out of control in kidney tissue. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type in adults, although other, less common types can occur. Cancer of the kidneys can affect people of different ages, and its causes and treatment needs vary from person to person.
Symptoms
Kidney Cancer Symptoms
Early kidney cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms and may be found by chance during an ultrasound, CT scan, or other imaging test for another reason. When symptoms do occur, they may be general and can resemble problems other than cancer. The symptoms of kidney cancer may also differ by tumor size, location, and spread.
- Blood in the urine may make urine look pink, red, or cola-colored.
- Persistent pain in the side or lower back may occur on one side.
- A lump or mass in the abdomen or side may be noticeable.
- Unexplained weight loss can occur without changes in diet or exercise.
- Loss of appetite may persist for days or weeks.
- A persistent fever may occur without a clear infection.
- Night sweats can happen without a warm environment or heavy bedding.
- Fatigue may be ongoing and interfere with usual activities.
- Anemia may cause tiredness, weakness, or shortness of breath.
WHEN TO ACT
Symptoms need evaluation
These symptoms can have causes other than cancer, but blood in the urine, a persistent mass, or ongoing unexplained symptoms warrant prompt medical assessment. Seek urgent advice if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.
Causes
What Causes Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer develops when DNA changes cause kidney cells to grow and divide abnormally. The exact initiating cause is often unknown, and several genetic and environmental influences may be involved. Over time, abnormal cells may form a tumor and, in some cases, spread beyond the kidney.
Inherited and acquired gene changes
Some people inherit gene changes that increase their risk, while others acquire changes during life as cells divide or respond to damaging exposures. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of renal cell carcinoma, is often associated with characteristic molecular changes involving pathways that regulate oxygen sensing and cell growth. A risk factor increases the likelihood of cancer but does not prove why it developed in one particular person.
Risk Factors
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors
NONMODIFIABLE RISKS
Risk may increase with older age, male sex, a family history of renal cancer, and certain inherited syndromes. Some racial or ancestry groups may have different rates, but these patterns do not determine an individual’s outcome.
MEDICAL AND LIFESTYLE RISKS
Potentially modifiable or medical factors include tobacco use, excess body weight, high blood pressure, and certain workplace exposures. Chronic kidney disease, long-term dialysis, and acquired cystic kidney disease may also increase risk.
Side Effects & Complications
Kidney Cancer Complications and Treatment Side Effects
Possible complications and treatment effects
- Cancer may spread to the lungs, bones, liver, brain, or distant lymph nodes.
- Kidney cancer or its treatment may impair kidney function.
- Anemia can contribute to weakness and fatigue.
- Pain may result from the tumor, spread of disease, or treatment.
- Cancer and some treatments can increase the risk of blood clots.
- Surgery commonly causes temporary postoperative pain and may reduce kidney function.
- Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may cause fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or skin changes.
- Some treatments can cause or worsen high blood pressure.
- Immunotherapy can cause inflammation in organs such as the bowel, lungs, liver, or thyroid.
- Treatment may increase infection risk, especially when immune defenses are affected.
CONTACT THE CARE TEAM
Report serious treatment symptoms promptly
Contact the oncology team promptly for severe shortness of breath, uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea, high fever, confusion, chest pain, or a sudden decrease in urine. These symptoms may require urgent assessment.
Diagnosis & Staging
Kidney Cancer Diagnosis and Staging
Evaluation of a suspected kidney tumor usually includes a medical history, physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and imaging. Ultrasound, CT, or MRI can show a kidney mass and help assess its size and location, but imaging does not always establish the exact type of tumor. Doctors may also evaluate kidney function and look for signs that disease has spread.
Biopsy and tumor type
A biopsy may be used when tissue is needed to confirm cancer, identify the subtype, or determine the tumor grade under a microscope. A biopsy is not required before every kidney cancer surgery because imaging and the planned operation may provide enough information in selected cases. The decision depends on the appearance of the mass, the treatment being considered, and the patient’s overall situation.
| Stage | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| I–II | Cancer is confined to the kidney, with Stage II generally involving a larger tumor. |
| III | Cancer has grown into nearby major veins or tissues or nearby lymph nodes. |
| IV | Cancer has invaded nearby structures or spread to distant organs or lymph nodes. |
Treatment Options
Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
Active surveillance and focal treatment
Surgery
Systemic treatment
Outlook and Prognosis
Kidney Cancer Outlook and Prognosis
Outlook depends on the stage, tumor subtype and grade, whether the cancer can be completely removed, response to treatment, overall health, and kidney function. Localized kidney cancer is often treatable, while advanced disease may require ongoing management with surgery, medicines, monitoring, or combinations of these approaches. A person’s prognosis cannot be determined from stage alone.
Survival is generally highest when cancer remains confined to the kidney; use the latest source-verified estimate.
Localized disease
Survival varies when cancer reaches nearby tissues or lymph nodes; use the latest source-verified estimate.
Regional disease
Survival varies with metastatic sites and treatment response; use the latest source-verified estimate.
Distant disease
Survivorship & Follow-up
Kidney Cancer Survivorship and Follow-Up
Follow-up after treatment is individualized according to stage, treatment, recurrence risk, and remaining kidney function. It may include periodic visits, blood and urine tests, blood pressure checks, and imaging. The care team will recommend a schedule based on the person’s needs.
- Monitoring for recurrence is an important part of long-term follow-up.
- Kidney function and blood pressure should be checked as recommended.
- Late effects of surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation should be discussed and managed.
- Emotional health, anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence deserve attention.
- Healthy habits such as not smoking, regular activity, and a balanced diet can support overall health.
- Primary care and oncology teams should coordinate ongoing medical care.
DURING FOLLOW-UP
Report new or changing symptoms
Tell the care team about new blood in the urine, persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, new breathing symptoms, or other concerning changes rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Branches
3 topics
Kidney Cancer
Medical Oncology
Kidney Cancer
Nephrology
Kidney Cancer
Urology
Symptoms
1 topic
Kidney Cancer
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