Cancer guide
Kidney cancer
By Cura Editorial Team ·
Most kidney cancers are found by accident on a scan done for something else — and small tumors have excellent outcomes with surgery or ablation.
What to know first
- The most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), often clear cell.
- Small (<4 cm) tumors are often treated with partial nephrectomy or ablation, not full kidney removal.
- Immunotherapy combinations have changed the outlook for advanced disease.
When to see a doctor
- Blood in the urine, even once
- Persistent flank or back pain on one side
- An unexplained mass, fatigue, or weight loss
Frequently asked questions
What are the early warning signs of kidney cancer?
The signs that most often lead to a kidney cancer diagnosis are: blood in the urine, even once; persistent flank or back pain on one side; an unexplained mass, fatigue, or weight loss. Any of these lasting more than a couple of weeks is worth a same-week appointment, even though most turn out to be something else.
When should I see a doctor about possible kidney cancer?
See a doctor promptly if a symptom is new, persistent, or getting worse rather than better. Describe when it started, how often it happens, and what makes it better or worse — that detail is what decides whether you get imaging or testing at the first visit.
What should I know first about kidney cancer?
Most kidney cancers are found by accident on a scan done for something else — and small tumors have excellent outcomes with surgery or ablation. The most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), often clear cell. Small (<4 cm) tumors are often treated with partial nephrectomy or ablation, not full kidney removal. Immunotherapy combinations have changed the outlook for advanced disease.
What questions should I ask after a kidney cancer diagnosis?
Ask what the exact diagnosis is and how it is staged, what the treatment options are and in what order they would happen, what the goal of treatment is, which side effects to expect, and whether a second opinion or clinical trial makes sense for your situation.
Related guides
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