Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from kidney cells. Renal cell cancer is the most common type of tumor in the kidney, accounting for more than 90% of cases.

Common symptoms of kidney cancer include: blood in the urine, causing it to discolor; constant pain in your side; an abdominal lump or mass; weight loss; fever; and fatigue. Other health problems may also cause the same symptoms, but anyone experiencing them should see a physician.

A CT scan is one of the most useful tests for diagnosing kidney cancer. Other tests may include lab tests, PET scan, CT scan, ultrasound, and MRI. A fine needle aspiration, where a thin needle is used to remove fluid or tissue samples of the kidney, may be performed if other tests are not conclusive. The sample is then studied under a microscope.

Surgery is the main treatment for renal cell cancer. In cases where the patient isn’t healthy enough to undergo surgery, radiation therapy or arterial embolization may be the best choices for treatment. Patients may also go through chemotherapy and biotherapy.