Kidney cancer is when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both of the kidneys. Your doctor will do tests to see if the cancer is in the kidney only or has spread to other parts of the body. Then you and your doctor can decide on treatment.
Most people who have kidney cancer have surgery to remove the cancer and all or part of the kidney. Your treatment options will depend on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread.
Many people still have the use of one or both kidneys after treatment for early kidney cancer. If you do not have a working kidney after treatment, you will need to have your blood cleaned by a machine (dialysis) or have a kidney transplant. Being treated for cancer can weaken your body, and you may feel very tired. Home treatment can help you feel better.
Kidney cancer that's found early can often be successfully treated. But when it isn't found early, it may spread to other parts of the body, like the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, or liver. After the cancer has spread, how long a person lives usually depends on how much it has spread.
Kidney cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms at first. As it grows, kidney cancer may cause one or more of these symptoms:
Kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body will cause different symptoms, depending on where it has spread. For example, cancer that spreads to the lungs may cause coughing and shortness of breath. Cancer that spreads to the bones may cause bone pain.
Treatment for kidney cancer is based on the stage of the cancer and other things, such as your overall health. Treatment options may include:
This is the main treatment. The doctor may remove only the part of the kidney with the tumor or the whole kidney.
This uses heat or cold to destroy tumors. It may be done when tumors are very small or surgery isn't a good choice.
Active surveillance may be an option for some people with very small tumors.
If the cancer has spread beyond the kidneys, treatment may also include:
Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.
To see if you may have kidney cancer, your doctor may do a physical exam. Then your doctor may order one or more tests to look for evidence of cancer. Tests include:
Many cases of early kidney cancer are found during imaging tests that were looking for some other problem.
If a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis, a small sample of the kidney may be removed to check the cells under a microscope.
Kidney cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in one or both kidneys. Another name for kidney cancer is renal cancer. "Renal" means having to do with the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer.
Experts aren't sure what causes kidney cancer. But there are certain things that make you more likely to get it. Your risk is higher if you smoke, are very overweight (obese), have high blood pressure, or have certain inherited conditions.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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