What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer happens when cells in the kidney start to grow out of control and form a tumor. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter waste from your blood and make urine. Most kidney cancers are found in adults, and many are discovered early—sometimes by accident during a scan for something else.
Causes of kidney cancer
Doctors don’t always know exactly what causes kidney cancer, but some things can raise the risk. These include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Long-term kidney disease
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Certain inherited conditions (like von Hippel-Lindau disease)
Risk factors for kidney cancer
You may be more likely to get kidney cancer if you:
- Are over 50
- Smoke or used to smoke
- Are overweight
- Have high blood pressure
- Have had dialysis for kidney failure
- Have a close relative with kidney cancer
Symptoms of kidney cancer
Kidney cancer may not cause symptoms early on. As it grows, signs may include:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain in your side or lower back
- A lump or swelling in your side
- Fatigue
- Fever that doesn’t go away
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosing kidney cancer
Doctors may use several tests to check for kidney cancer, such as:
- Imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
- Urine tests to check for blood or cancer cells
- Blood tests to see how your kidneys are working
- Biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is removed and tested
Treatment of kidney cancer
Treatment depends on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread. Options may include:
- Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney
- Targeted therapy that blocks cancer growth
- Immunotherapy to help your body fight cancer
- Radiation or chemotherapy (less common for kidney cancer)
- Active surveillance (watching the tumor closely without immediate treatment)