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Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer refers to cancer that develops within the kidney.

Quick facts about kidney cancerQuick facts about kidney cancer

Each year over 12,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Kidney cancer usually only affect one kidney . It is very uncommon for cancer to be in both kidneys . There are different types of kidney cancer. About 8 out of 10 kidney cancers (80%) are renal cell cancers (RCC).

Types of kidney cancerTypes of kidney cancer

The kidney plays an important role in removing excess water, salt and waste products from the blood which then becomes urine, and helps control certain processes in the body such blood pressure.

Types of kidney cancer include:

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Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the kidney’s filtration system (proximal renal tubules). This is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for 80% of all kidney cancer diagnoses.

Cancer treatment therapist comforting a cancer patient.

Urothelial carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the transitional cells which line the renal pelvis (where the ureters meet the kidneys). This accounts for 20% of all kidney cancer cases and includes Hürthle cell carcinoma.

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Wilms tumour

This is a rare cancer that develops in the kidneys from the abnormal growth of early kidney cells, most commonly in children.

Renal sarcoma

Renal sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in the connective tissue or blood vessels of the kidney. This accounts for less than 1% of all kidney cancer diagnoses.

Signs and symptoms of kidney cancerSigns and symptoms of kidney cancer

As signs and symptoms for kidney cancer can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a kidney cancer diagnosis.

Kidney cancer can be difficult to detect as there are often no symptoms during the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

Blood in urine
Pain or discomfort in the lower back or side
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
A mass or lump in the abdomen
Fever

Stages of kidney cancerStages of kidney cancer

The TNM system is used to stage kidney cancer and helps doctors understand what your cancer looks like. TNM stands for:

Tumour – The size of the tumour
Node – If the cancer has involved any lymph nodes
Metastasis – Whether the cancer has metastasised (spread) to other areas of the body.

The TNM information, along with other tests, helps determine the stage of your breast cancer using the guidelines below:

Stage I

The cancer is no larger than 7cm across and confined to the kidney.

Stage II

The cancer is larger than 7cm across and confined to the kidney.

Stage III

The cancer has grown into a major vein or surrounding tissue, but not the adrenal gland or beyond Gerota’s fascia. Alternatively, the tumour is any size and has spread the nearby lymph nodes but not beyond Gerota’s fascia.

Stage IV

The cancer has grown beyond Gerota’s fascia and may be growing into the adrenal gland. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Alternatively, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or organs.

Treatment for kidney cancer

There are many different types of treatment for kidney cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about kidney cancerFAQs

Is kidney cancer hereditary?

People who have a family history of kidney cancer or who have inherited certain types of genetic conditions may have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. These syndromes include von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, hereditary leiomyoma renal cell carcinoma, hereditary renal oncocytoma and familial renal cancer (renal cancer which affects multiple generations of a family).

If you have a family history of kidney cancer or other cancers related to these genetic syndromes, we encourage you to speak with your doctor who may recommend genetic counselling and genetic testing.

In the majority of kidney cancer cases, the genetic changes that cause kidney cancer are acquired during a person’s lifetime, rather than inherited.

What causes kidney cancer?

While the exact causes of kidney cancer are unknown, factors known to increase the risk of developing kidney cancer include:

Smoking
High blood pressure
Being overweight or obese
Receiving long-term treatment for chronic kidney failure
Having a family history of kidney cancer
Inherited conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, hereditary leiomyoma renal cell carcinoma, hereditary renal oncocytoma or familial renal cancer.

How common is kidney cancer?

Each year over 12500 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer.

What can I do to decrease my risk of kidney cancer?

There are a number of lifestyle-related factors you can consider to reduce your risk of developing cancer in general.

Find out more here: Risks and causes of kidney cancer | Cancer Research UK

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