Kidney Cancer

Learn more about kidney cancer and how it’s treated.

Overview

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys.

The kidneys are part of the urinary system. They filter waste from the blood and produce urine.

Men are more likely to develop kidney cancer than women.

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for uro-oncology.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Types

Types of kidney cancer

Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma begins in the lining of tubes in the kidney that help filter waste from your bloodstream.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Around 85 per cent of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas. In most cases, a tumour develops in only one of the kidneys, but sometimes both kidneys are affected.

There are several subtypes of renal cell carcinoma. The most common sub-type is called clear cell carcinoma.

Other types

Some other types of kidney cancer include:

Urothelial carcinoma
Renal sarcoma
Primary renal lymphoma

Symptoms

Many people with kidney cancer do not have any symptoms. Patients without symptoms are sometimes diagnosed with kidney cancer by accident while having tests for other reasons.

Others may have symptoms of kidney cancer, which can include:

Blood in the urine
Discomfort in your sides

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms that could be a sign of kidney cancer, several tests can be used to make a diagnosis. We will use the tests that provide the best information for your specific needs.

Diagnostic imaging

Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans or MRIs can help your physician see if there are any issues with your kidneys. If cancer is suspected, you may need further testing. This often includes a biopsy.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure where a physician takes a small sample of tissue so it can be examined under a microscope in a laboratory.

Cancer staging

If cancer is found, the next step is determining the stage of cancer. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your care team develop your treatment plan.

Physicians determine the stage of your cancer based on the size and location of the tumour, whether cancer cells are in the lymph nodes and whether there are cancer cells in other parts of the body.

Cancer staging is usually done with imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs.

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. We will help you weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

There are many different treatment options for cancer. Which treatment is best depends on the tumour’s size, how fast it is growing and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

If your tumour that has not spread beyond the kidney, treatment options may include observation, ablation treatments or surgery.

Ablation

Ablation treatments use hot or cold temperatures to destroy cancer cells. This works best on small tumours and may depend on where the tumour is located inside the kidney.

Surgery

During surgery, a surgeon removes some or all of the cancer. The complexity of the surgery can vary greatly depending on your specific needs. It may involve removing part or all of your kidney.

At Mount Sinai Hospital, many patients who need surgery for kidney cancer are eligible for robotic surgery. Robotic surgery results in less pain, smaller incisions and a faster recovery.

Medical treatment

If your cancer is more advanced, we will work closely with our colleagues in medical oncology and radiation oncology to provide the best possible treatment. This may include targeted systemic therapies, immunotherapy or radiation therapy.