Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably.

Although the exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, it has been linked to several risk factors, including:

• Age – occurs more frequently with increasing age, typically after age 50
• Gender – men are more than twice as likely to get kidney cancer as women
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Exposure to asbestos, cadmium, coke (in making steel), benzene, herbicides and organic solvents
• Having advanced kidney disease
• Being on kidney dialysis long-term
• Having a rare inherited condition, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma
• A family history of kidney disease

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer, but risk factors do not tell us everything. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get kidney cancer, and having no risk factors does not mean you cannot get it.

Common symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

• Blood in your urine
• Pain in your side that will not go away
• A lump or mass in your side or abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained fever
• Persistent fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms can indicate conditions other than a kidney tumor, so it’s important to consult with your doctor for proper and prompt diagnosis.

If kidney cancer is suspected, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:

• Urine test – uses a urine sample to check for blood or other signs of kidney cancer
• Blood test – used to check for several substances that may indicate the kidneys are not functioning correctly, such as a high level of creatinine, for example
• CT scan – uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of your abdomen
• MRI scan – uses powerful magnets and pulses of radio waves to create pictures of your abdomen
• Biopsy – uses a thin needle poked through your skin and into the kidney to remove a small sample of tissue, which a pathologist examines for the presence of cancerous cells

Our cancer experts work as a team to offer the most advanced kidney cancer treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures that help speed recovery. Our goal is to provide effective treatments while preserving kidney function.

Learn more about how our experts treat kidney cancer >