Cancer guide
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.
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
Related guides
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