Kidney cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer that occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of cancer cells that form a malignant tumor in the kidney. The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell cancer.
The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located in the abdomen. The function of the kidneys is to filter the blood of certain wastes creating urine. Normally, cells in the kidneys that are old or damaged will stop dividing and die before they can become cancerous. These cells are normally replaced by healthy young cells. Kidney cancer occurs when old or damaged cells continue to divide and multiply uncontrollably.
Kidney cancer is most treatable and curable if caught in the earliest stage of the disease. Untreated and/or advanced kidney cancer can spread from the kidney into surrounding tissues and into the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones and brain, where it can form another cancerous tumor. This is called metastasis.
People at risk for developing kidney cancer include those who smoke, are obese, or have certain rare genetic disorders, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) or Birt Hogg Dube Syndrome (BHD). Other risk factors include having advanced kidney disease, a family member with kidney cancer, and/or exposure to certain toxic substances, such as asbestos, trichloroethylene, and cadmium. Kidney cancer is more common in men than in women.
Common symptoms of kidney cancer include hematuria (blood in the urine) and flank pain or back pain. However, there are often no symptoms in early stages of the disease. Kidney cancer can also cause serious complications. For more details on other key symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of kidney cancer.
Diagnosing kidney cancer begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms and risk factors for kidney cancer. Diagnosis also includes completing a physical examination.
A test on the urine, called an urinanalysis, is performed to check for blood in the urine (hematuria) and to rule-out certain other conditions with similar symptoms, such as a bladder infection or kidney stones.
Kidney cancer can often be diagnosed with one or more imaging tests that create a picture of the kidney. Imaging tests can include CT scan, PET scan, ultrasound, intravenous pyelogram, ultrasound and/or MRI.
Rarely, a kidney biopsy may be necessary. A kidney biopsy involves removing a sample of cells from the kidney tumor with a very fine needle inserted through the skin. The sample of cells is then examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells to confirm a diagnosis.
Other diagnostic tests may be performed to rule-out or diagnose metastasis of kidney cancer to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver or brain.
The prognosis for people with kidney cancer varies depending on the stage of advancement of the cancer, the specific type of kidney cancer, and other factors. Treatment of kidney cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy. For more details about treatment, refer to treatment of kidney cancer.
A diagnosis of kidney cancer can be missed or delayed because some symptoms of kidney cancer are similar to symptoms of other conditions and for other reasons. For more information about other diseases, disorders and conditions that can mimic kidney cancer, refer to misdiagnosis of kidney cancer. ...more »
Kidney Cancer: Any cancer involving the kidneys. Wilms' tumor, transitional cell cancer and renal cell cancer are examples of types of kidney cancer. Smoking and certain conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. ...more »
In the early stage of kidney cancer, there are often no symptoms. Kidney tumors can become very large before causing symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common one is blood in the urine (hematuria). There is generally no pain during urination.
Other common symptoms include mass or lump in the abdomen and back pain or flank pain. Less common symptoms ...more symptoms »
There is no specific way to prevent kidney cancer, although there are measures that can help to minimize the risk of developing kidney cancer and other types of cancer. This includes seeking medical care as soon as any symptoms of kidney cancer are noted. It is also important to seek regular medical care throughout the lifetime. Regular medical care allows a health ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of kidney cancer can be delayed or missed because some symptoms of kidney cancer can be similar to symptoms of other diseases or conditions. These include urinary tract infection, bladder infection, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and kidney stone. ...more misdiagnosis »
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Prognosis for Kidney Cancer: The prognosis can vary considerably depending on what stage the cancer is diagnosed at, the individual response to treatment and the overall health of the patient.
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The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Kidney Cancer include:
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