Kidney Cancer Also called: Hypernephroma, Renal cancer Summary You have two kidneys. They are fist-sized organs on either side of your backbone above your waist. The tubes inside filter and clean your blood, taking out waste products and making urine. Kidney cancer forms in the lining of tiny tubes inside your kidneys. Kidney cancer becomes more likely as you age. Risk factors include smoking, having certain genetic conditions, and misusing pain medicines for a long time. You may have no symptoms at first. They may appear as the cancer grows. See your health care provider if you notice Blood in your urine A lump in your abdomen Weight loss for no reason Pain in your side that does not go away Loss of appetite Treatment depends on your age, your overall health and how advanced the cancer is. It might include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, biologic, or targeted therapies. Biologic therapy boosts your body’s own ability to fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Encyclopedia Abdominal CT scan Abdominal MRI After chemotherapy – discharge Cytology exam of urine Hemoglobinuria test Intravenous pyelogram Pelvis MRI scan RBC urine test Renal arteriography Renal scan Renal venogram Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy Urine – bloody Treatments and Therapies Ablation and Other Local Therapy for Kidney Cancer American Cancer Society Biologic Therapy (Immunotherapy) for Kidney Cancer American Cancer Society Drugs Approved for Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer National Cancer Institute Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Targeted Therapies for Kidney Cancer American Cancer Society Treatment Option Overview (Renal Cell Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Renal Cell Cancer National Cancer Institute Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Directory of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Organizations National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find a Urologist Urology Care Foundation National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Array Cancer – renal pelvis or ureter Kidney removal Kidney removal – slideshow Kidney removal – discharge Renal cell carcinoma Statistics and Research Cancer of the Kidney and Renal Pelvis National Cancer Institute What Are the Key Statistics about Kidney Cancer? American Cancer Society What’s New in Kidney Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Renal Cell National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Kidney Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) Array Kidney Biopsy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Stages of Renal Cell Cancer National Cancer Institute Urine Cytology Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Genetics Do We Know What Causes Kidney Cancer? American Cancer Society Familial Non-VHL Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma American Society of Clinical Oncology Genetics Home Reference: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: von Hippel-Lindau syndrome National Library of Medicine Hereditary Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma American Society of Clinical Oncology Living With Emotional Well-Being Kidney Cancer Association Living with Kidney Cancer Kidney Cancer Association What Happens After Treatment for Kidney Cancer? American Cancer Society Start Here General Information about Renal Cell Cancer National Cancer Institute Kidney Cancer Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Is Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma)? American Cancer Society What You Need to Know about Kidney Cancer National Cancer Institute Health Check Tools Kidney Cancer Risk Questionnaire Siteman Cancer Center Reference Desk Kidneys and How They Work National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Children MedlinePlus: Wilms’ Tumor National Library of Medicine Ultrasound: Renal (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder) (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Videos and Tutorials Newest Surgical Option for Kidney Cancer OR-Live Robot Assisted Partial Nephrectomy Using Fluorescence OR-Live Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy OR-Live Related Issues Patient Empowerment Kidney Cancer Association What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Kidney Cancer? American Cancer Society Journal Articles Kidney Cancer Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors What Are the Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer? American Cancer Society Latest News Certain Biopsy Method Tied to Better Outcomes After Kidney Cancer HealthDay
