Kidney Cancer
Risk Factors, Prevention, and Early Detection
Kidney cancer is a disease that starts in the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs that clean our blood. While it is a serious illness, the good news is that if it’s found early, treatment can be much more effective and make a huge difference in recovery.
Often, in its early stages, kidney cancer may not show clear signs, which is why awareness of its risks and symptoms is so important. This guide will simply explain the risk factors, the symptoms to watch out for, and the latest treatment options available, helping you understand how to take the right steps for your health.
What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer happens when bad cells grow in the kidney and form a lump or tumor. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that clean your blood and make urine. The most common type in adults is called renal cell carcinoma (RCC). At first, kidney cancer might not cause any symptoms. Later, it might cause blood in your pee, pain in your back, or feeling very tired.
Doctors have been learning about kidney cancer for many years. In the past, they didn’t know much, but now with tools like ultrasound and CT scans, it’s easier to find the cancer early. Treatments have also improved a lot. New medicines called targeted therapy and immunotherapy help fight the cancer better. Because of this, more people with kidney cancer are living longer and healthier lives.
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Types of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer starts when cells in the kidney grow out of control. There are different types of kidney cancer, depending on the kind of cells that become cancerous. Here are the main types:
⦿ Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): This is the most common type of kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma starts in the lining of small tubes in the kidney. These tubes help filter waste from your blood.
⦿ Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC): This type of cancer starts in the renal pelvis, which is where urine collects inside the kidney. It’s also called urothelial carcinoma.
⦿ Wilms Tumor: Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that usually affects children. It is rare in adults.
⦿ Renal Sarcoma: Renal sarcoma is a rare type of kidney cancer that starts in the soft tissues of the kidney.
⦿ Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC): This type of cancer starts in the renal pelvis, which is where urine collects inside the kidney. It’s also called urothelial carcinoma.
⦿ Wilms Tumor: Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that usually affects children. It is rare in adults.
⦿ Renal Sarcoma: Renal sarcoma is a rare type of kidney cancer that starts in the soft tissues of the kidney.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
It’s important to know the early signs of kidney cancer. Finding it early can make treatment easier. Here are some common and less common symptoms to watch out for.
- Common Symptoms
Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
This means there is blood in your pee. It can make your pee look pink, red, or brown. Even a little blood in your urine should be checked by a doctor.
Persistent Pain in the Side or Back
Pain in your side or back that doesn’t go away.
Lump or Mass in the Side or Abdomen
Feeling a lump or mass in your side or belly.
- Less Common Symptoms
Fever
Having a fever that doesn’t go away.
Swelling in Ankles and Legs
Swelling in your ankles or legs.
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Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer
Knowing the risk factors for kidney cancer can help you understand your chances of getting it. Some risk factors you can change, and some you can’t.
- Modifiable Risk Factors
These are things you can change to lower your risk.
⦿ Smoking: The Leading Cause: Smoking is the biggest risk factor for kidney cancer. If you smoke, quitting can greatly lower your risk.
⦿ Obesity: Increased Risk with Higher BMI: Being overweight or obese increases your risk. Try to maintain a healthy weight. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. Check your Body Mass Index now with BMI Calculator
⦿ High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Having high blood pressure can increase your risk. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure.
⦿ Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Being around certain chemicals can increase your risk.
⦿ Asbestos, Cadmium: These chemicals are used in some jobs. If you work with them, take safety precautions.
⦿ Smoking: The Leading Cause: Smoking is the biggest risk factor for kidney cancer. If you smoke, quitting can greatly lower your risk.
⦿ Obesity: Increased Risk with Higher BMI: Being overweight or obese increases your risk. Try to maintain a healthy weight. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. Check your Body Mass Index now with BMI Calculator
⦿ High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Having high blood pressure can increase your risk. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure.
⦿ Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Being around certain chemicals can increase your risk.
⦿ Asbestos, Cadmium: These chemicals are used in some jobs. If you work with them, take safety precautions.
- Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
These are things you can’t change.
⦿ Age: The older you get, the higher your risk.
⦿ Gender: Men are more likely to get kidney cancer than women.
⦿ Family History and Genetic Factors: If you have family members who had kidney cancer, your risk might be higher. Some genes can also increase your risk.
⦿ Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: Having long-term kidney problems or being on dialysis increases your risk.
⦿ Age: The older you get, the higher your risk.
⦿ Gender: Men are more likely to get kidney cancer than women.
⦿ Family History and Genetic Factors: If you have family members who had kidney cancer, your risk might be higher. Some genes can also increase your risk.
⦿ Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: Having long-term kidney problems or being on dialysis increases your risk.
How is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?
If your doctor thinks you might have kidney cancer, they will do some tests. These tests help find out if there are cancer cells and how far they have spread. Here’s what you can expect during the diagnosis.
- Diagnostic Tests
⦿ Urinalysis: Checking for Blood and Abnormal Cells: Urinalysis is a test to check your pee for blood and other things. It can also find abnormal cells.
⦿ Blood Tests: Assessing Kidney Function: Blood tests can show how well your kidneys are working. They can also check for other problems.
⦿ Imaging Tests: CT Scans, MRIs, Ultrasounds: These tests take pictures of your kidneys and nearby areas.
⦿ CT scans and MRIs can show if the cancer has spread.
⦿ Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images.
⦿ Biopsy: Confirming Cancer Cells: A biopsy is when the doctor takes a small piece of tissue from your kidney. This tissue is checked under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have kidney cancer.
⦿ CT scans and MRIs can show if the cancer has spread.
⦿ Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images.
⦿ Biopsy: Confirming Cancer Cells: A biopsy is when the doctor takes a small piece of tissue from your kidney. This tissue is checked under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if you have kidney cancer.
Staging of Kidney Cancer
Staging helps doctors know how far the cancer has spread. This helps them decide on the best treatment.
- TNM Staging System: Tumor, Node, Metastasis
⦿ T stands for the size of the tumor.
⦿ N stands for whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
⦿ M stands for whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
⦿ N stands for whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
⦿ M stands for whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
- Stages I to IV: Understanding Cancer Progression
⦿ Stage I means the cancer is small and only in the kidney.
⦿ Stage IV means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
⦿ Stage IV means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer
There are many ways to treat kidney cancer. The best treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as your overall health.
- Surgical Treatments
Radical Nephrectomy
Removing the Entire Kidney: In a radical nephrectomy, the doctor removes the entire kidney, as well as nearby tissues.
Partial Nephrectomy
Removing Part of the Kidney: If the cancer is only in one part of the kidney, the doctor might remove just that part. This is called a partial nephrectomy.
Nephroureterectomy
Removing the Kidney and Ureter: In a nephroureterectomy, the doctor removes the kidney and the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). This is done if the cancer has spread to the ureter.
- Surgical Treatments
Targeted Therapy: Blocking Cancer Growth
Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific parts of cancer cells. This can help stop the cancer from growing and spreading.
Immunotherapy: Boosting the Immune System
Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system fight cancer.
Radiation Therapy: External Beam Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation comes from a machine outside your body.
Ablation Techniques: Freezing or Heating Cancer Cells
Ablation techniques use extreme cold or heat to destroy cancer cells.
Active Surveillance: Monitoring Small, Slow-Growing Tumors
Active surveillance means carefully watching the cancer with regular tests. This is done for small, slow-growing tumors.
- Stage-Based Treatment Options in Kidney Cancer
This table explains the common treatment options for kidney cancer based on its stage. It helps patients understand what to expect and how treatment plans may change as the disease progresses.
| Cancer Stage | What It Means | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I | Tumor is small (≤7 cm) and limited to the kidney | - Partial or radical nephrectomy (surgery to remove part or all of the kidney) |
| Stage II | Tumor is larger (>7 cm) but still within the kidney |
- Radical nephrectomy - Regular follow-up after surgery |
| Stage III | Tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes or major veins |
- Radical nephrectomy with lymph node removal - Targeted therapy or immunotherapy in select cases |
| Stage IV | Cancer has spread to distant organs (lungs, bones, etc.) |
- Immunotherapy - Targeted therapy - Palliative surgery if needed - Clinical trial if eligible |
Preventing Kidney Cancer
There are things you can do to lower your risk of getting kidney cancer. Making healthy choices and being aware of your environment can help protect you.
- Lifestyle Changes
⦿ Quitting Smoking: The Most Important Step: Smoking is a big risk factor for kidney cancer. Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to lower your risk.
⦿ Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Staying at a healthy weight can lower your risk. Try to eat healthy and exercise regularly.
⦿ Controlling Blood Pressure: Keeping your blood pressure under control can help. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure.
⦿ Healthy Diet: Emphasizing Fruits and Vegetables: Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help protect against kidney cancer.
⦿ Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Staying at a healthy weight can lower your risk. Try to eat healthy and exercise regularly.
⦿ Controlling Blood Pressure: Keeping your blood pressure under control can help. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure.
⦿ Healthy Diet: Emphasizing Fruits and Vegetables: Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help protect against kidney cancer.
- Occupational Safety
⦿ Protective Measures in High-Risk Industries: If you work with chemicals, wear protective gear like gloves and masks. Follow safety rules to avoid exposure.
⦿ Regular Health Screenings: If you work in a high-risk job, get regular check-ups to look for early signs of cancer.
⦿ Regular Health Screenings: If you work in a high-risk job, get regular check-ups to look for early signs of cancer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Written by
Dr. Swati Shah
MS, DrNB (Surgical Oncology)
Dr. Swati Shah is a Robotic Uro and Gynecological Cancer Surgeon in Ahmedabad.
Reviewed by
Dr. Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (G I cancer Surgeon)
Dr. Harsh Shah is a renowned GI and HPB Robotic Cancer Surgeon in Ahmedabad.
Last Updated on 2 months by Dr Harsh & Swati Shah