Kidney Cancer

Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas. And they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Cancer that starts in the kidney is called kidney or renal cancer. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs. Each is about the size of a bar of soap. They sit in the body toward the middle to lower part of the back. There is 1 kidney on each side of the spine. The kidneys help filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. 

The main type of kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma. About 90% of kidney cancer tumors are this type. Other less-common types of kidney cancers are:

• Transitional cell carcinoma.

• Wilms tumor.

• Renal sarcoma.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change. 

The risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• Older age.

• Being a man.

• Being African American.

• Smoking.

• Obesity.

• Misuse of certain medicines, such as water pills (diuretics) and over-the-counter pain relievers.

• Contact with certain chemicals, such as the metal cadmium, herbicides, and organic solvents.

• High blood pressure.

• Advanced or chronic kidney disease.

• Certain inherited conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease and hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma.

• Family history of kidney cancer.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for kidney cancer and what you can do about them.

You may be able to lower your risk for kidney cancer by making some lifestyle changes. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.

• Not smoking.

• Keeping blood pressure in a healthy range.

Are there screening tests for kidney cancer? 

For people of average risk, there are no recommended screening tests for kidney cancer. Screening tests are done to check for disease in people who don’t have symptoms.

If you have a family history of kidney cancer or other disorders linked to the disease, you may want to think about genetic testing and kidney cancer screening.

If genetic tests show a risk for kidney cancer, your healthcare provider may advise you get screened often for kidney cancer. There are no standard guidelines for how often you should be screened if you are at increased risk. Your healthcare provider will advise a screening schedule based on your overall health and risk factors.

Kidney cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. As the cancer grows, it can cause symptoms such as:

• Blood in the urine. Blood in the urine (hematuria) is one of the most common signs of kidney cancer. Hematuria can be caused by other tumors, such as bladder cancer or prostate cancer tumors. It can also be caused by benign (noncancer) conditions, such as kidney stones and infections. You may be able to see the blood easily in your urine. Or the blood cells may show up only when a urine test is done.

• Pain in the side or lower back. Side and back pains that are not from an injury can also be symptoms of kidney cancer. Pain is caused by the tumor growing and pushing against nearby organs. It is usually felt on one side only.

• A lump in the kidney area. If you feel a lump in the kidney area (the lower back or side) and have not had an injury, a tumor may be there. The lump may also be painful.

• Tiredness. Chronic tiredness is a common problem for people with cancer. This is usually caused by a low number of red blood cells (anemia). Anemia can be found by blood tests. It can be caused by almost all cancers, as well as by many other diseases.

• Fast weight loss. Weight loss that happens quickly without any effort to lose weight can be a sign of kidney cancer.

• Other symptoms. Kidney cancer can also cause loss of appetite, swelling of the legs and ankles, and a fever.

Many of these may be caused by other health problems. But it is important to see a healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have kidney cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history, your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. He or she will also give you a physical exam. You may also have one or more of these tests:

• Urine test.

• Blood tests.

• CT scan.

• Abdominal ultrasound.

• MRI.

• Angiography.

• Biopsy.

After a diagnosis of kidney cancer, you’ll likely have other tests. These help your healthcare providers learn more about the cancer. They can help determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is how much and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized) in your body. It is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer.

Once your cancer is staged, your healthcare provider will talk with you about what the stage means for your treatment. Ask your healthcare provider to explain the stage of your cancer to you in a way you can understand.

Your treatment choices depend on the type of kidney cancer you have, test results, and the stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, control the cancer, or help ease problems caused by the cancer. Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment, and what the risks and side effects may be. Other things to think about are if the cancer can be removed with surgery and your overall health.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. Surgery, ablation, and radiation are local treatments. When taken by pill or injection, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are systemic treatments. You may have just one treatment or a combination of treatments.

Kidney cancer may be treated with:

• Surgery.

• Ablation therapy.

• Radiation therapy.

• Active surveillance.

• Targeted therapy.

• Immunotherapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Supportive care.

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option. Talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage normal cells. This can cause side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and vomiting. 

Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects you might have and ways to manage them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be tough on the mind and body. Keep talking with your healthcare team about any problems or concerns you have. Work together to ease the effect of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.

• Ask your healthcare team or social worker for help.

• Speak with a counselor.

• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.

• Ask your healthcare team about medicines for depression or anxiety.

• Keep socially active.

• Join a cancer support group.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat a healthy diet, with as many protein foods as possible.

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.

• Keep physically active.

• Rest as much as needed.

• Talk with your healthcare team about ways to manage treatment side effects.

• Take your medicines as directed by your team.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about when to call. You may be told to call if you have any of the below:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.

• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don’t get better with treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider what signs to watch for and when to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.