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Kidney Cancer
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Kidneys Urinary System

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer develops in the lining of the tiny tubes within your kidneys, with risk factors including age, smoking, and certain genetic conditions.

Overview

You have two kidneys, which are fist-sized organs located on either side of your backbone above your waist. The tubes inside these organs filter and clean your blood, removing waste products and producing urine. Kidney cancer forms in the lining of these tiny tubes.

Causes & Risk Factors

The likelihood of developing kidney cancer increases with age. Other known risk factors include:

  • Smoking
  • Certain genetic conditions
  • Long-term misuse of pain medicines

Symptoms

You may experience no symptoms in the early stages, but they may appear as the cancer grows. Consult your health care provider if you notice:

  • Blood in your urine
  • A lump in your abdomen
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent pain in your side
  • Loss of appetite

Diagnosis

Tests used to diagnose kidney cancer include blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and potentially a biopsy.

Treatment & Management

Treatment plans are determined based on your age, overall health, and the stage of the cancer. Options may include:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Biologic therapy: Boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer.
  • Targeted therapy: Uses drugs or other substances to attack specific cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Smoking introduces carcinogens that damage kidney cells, increasing the likelihood of malignant transformation. Quitting smoking reduces exposure to these toxins and can lower your risk over time, though the risk may remain elevated for several years after cessation.
Kidney cancer often shows no symptoms early, but common warning signs include painless blood in the urine, a palpable lump or mass in the abdomen or flank, unexplained weight loss, persistent flank pain, and loss of appetite. If you notice any of these, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding nephrotoxic medications, and regular follow‑up imaging and lab tests can help detect recurrence early and may reduce the risk of new tumors developing.===
Stage II kidney cancer is usually treated with partial or radical nephrectomy (surgical removal of part or all of the kidney). Recovery varies: most patients resume normal activities within 4–6 weeks, but full recovery can take 3–6 months depending on overall health and whether additional therapies like targeted therapy are needed.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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