Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

US
UK
ES
GenesisCare - logo
Find a centre
Find a doctor
GenesisCare - logo
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

US
UK
ES
Find a centre
Find a doctor
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Patient Portal
  • Patients
  • Exploring cancer care
  • Conditions we treat
  • Genitourinary cancer
  • Kidney cancer

Introduction

Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer or renal cell carcinoma, develops in the cells of the kidney.

image alt

What is kidney cancer?

Chapter 1

What is kidney cancer?

What is kidney cancer?

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer or renal cell carcinoma, develops in the cells of the kidney.

Your kidneys are essential organs, and most people have two. They are located just below the rib cage, on each side of the spine, behind your abdominal organs. Each kidney is bean-shaped and about the size of your fist. 

Types of kidney cancer

There are several types of kidney cancer, which usually affect one kidney.

  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) This is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for about 90% of cases.1
  • Wilms tumour This usually occurs in children but is very rare.
  • Urothelial carcinoma, also called transitional cell carcinoma This usually begins where the kidney and ureter (the tube that carries urine to the kidney) meet. 

Make an enquiry

Contact us today to find out how GenesisCare can help you.

Enquire Now
/content/dam/asset-migration/lifestyle/917634922.jpg

Symptoms of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages. Later stage symptoms may include:

  • blood in the urine
  • dark or rusty brown urine
  • frequent urinating during the night
  • unexplained fatigue
  • unexplained rapid weight loss
  • a lump in the abdomen
  • unexplained fever
  • pain in the flank or back

Having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have kidney cancer, but you should see your doctor for a check-up.

What causes kidney cancer?

There is no clear reason for kidney cancer developing. However, some factors appear to increase the risk. These include:

  • smoking1
  • family history of kidney cancer2
  • being overweight3
  • high blood pressure4
  • exposure to workplace chemicals, including arsenic and benzene5

Having any of these risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop kidney cancer, but you should see your GP if you are worried.

 

 

Diagnosis

Chapter 2

Diagnosing kidney cancer

Diagnosing kidney cancer

Your GP will probably refer you to a specialist if they are concerned about your symptoms and risk factors for kidney cancer. Tests to diagnose kidney cancer may include:

  • Blood and urine tests – Although these can’t diagnose kidney cancer on their own, they are often the first step in telling doctors what is going on in your body.
  • Biopsy – A small amount of tissue is removed from a kidney so it can be examined under a microscope. The biopsy is taken through the skin with an ultrasound-guided needle or during open surgery.
  • Imaging tests – These might include a PET-CT scan to see the kidneys from the inside or to see if cancer has spread anywhere else in the body.
/content/dam/asset-migration/lifestyle/iStock-1157858318.jpg

If you are found to have kidney cancer, your doctor will give you details about how far your cancer has progressed. Kidney cancer is commonly staged with the TNM system, which is used to show how advanced the cancer is. These letters stand for:

  • Tumour: Your doctors will measure the size of the tumour and how much it has grown
  • Nodes: Refers to whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes
  • Metastasis: Refers to whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body

Treatments

Chapter 3

Treatments for kidney cancer

Treatments for kidney cancer

Treatments for kidney cancer

Treatment for kidney cancer will depend on how advanced it is. Your doctor may recommend a watch-and-wait approach if you have a small tumour that isn’t aggressive. This involves monitoring your kidneys with regular ultrasounds or scans, but no treatment is given unless necessary. If the tumours are larger or more aggressive, recommended treatments may include:

  • immunotherapy
  • radiation therapy
  • surgery
  • targeted therapy

Kidney cancer doesn’t usually respond well to chemotherapy, so it isn’t a standard treatment.

 

/content/dam/asset-migration/lifestyle/925224994.jpg

Immunotherapy helps your body’s own immune system kill cancer cells. It may be used in cases of advanced kidney cancer and given either orally or intravenously.

Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells and is directed at specific areas of the body. Radiation in the form of microwaves may also in some circumstances be delivered directly into the tumour with a needle.

Surgery is a standard treatment for kidney cancer. The most common form of surgery for renal cell carcinoma is removing part or all of the affected kidney (nephrectomy). A partial nephrectomy, where only part of the kidney is removed, may be done if the tumour is small though it does depend on the location of the tumour within the kidney. These operations can be done either through open or keyhole surgery.

Targeted drug treatments attack specific features of cancer cells. They don’t harm the useful cells in your body, meaning there are often fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. They may be used in advanced stages of kidney cancer or if it is aggressive and growing fast. 

Your treatment with GenesisCare

Chapter 4

Your treatment with GenesisCare

Your treatment with GenesisCare

We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and life-changing. It’s natural to feel disbelief, anxiety, sadness, anger and loneliness. At GenesisCare, we strive to strengthen your confidence, settle your emotions and create care experiences that give you the best possible outcomes.

Our care team will know your name and get to know who you are as a person. We don’t want you to feel alone when you’re with GenesisCare. Your nursing team and oncology team are here to support you before, during and after your cancer treatment. We are here to guide you and help you access support from experts such as psychologists, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists and dietitians.

Please contact your local GenesisCare centre for more details on the services available. View a list of our centres here.

/content/dam/asset-migration/imaging-scans/UK_Diagnostics_MRI_component_imagery_GA.png

Side effects

Chapter 5

Side effects

Side effects

Side effects of immunotherapy for kidney cancer

General side effects include:

  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • coughing
  • skin rashes or itching
  • diarrhoea
  • low blood pressure
  • high fevers

Side effects of radiation therapy for kidney cancer

Side effects may include:

  • discomfort or swelling around the treatment area
  • tiredness and lethargy for a few weeks after you finish
  • nausea
  • diarrhoea

Most of these side effects will ease soon after treatment is finished. However, your team will discuss any long-term considerations with you, depending on the tumour type.

Side effects of surgery for kidney cancer

If you have part of or a whole kidney removed, your remaining kidney usually does the work of both. Your surgeon will talk to you about any risks before surgery. General side effects of kidney surgery include:

  • pain and swelling
  • wound infection
  • kidney failure

Side effects of targeted therapy for kidney cancer

General side effects include:

  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • mouth sores
  • loss of appetite
  • cough
  • changes in your voice.

Helpful services

Chapter 6

Helpful services

Helpful services

Other information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey. These include:

 

Cancer Council Australia

13 11 20

cancer.org.au

 

Australian Cancer Research Foundation

02 9223 7833

acrf.com.au

/content/dam/asset-migration/lifestyle/Background.jpg

Thank you for submitting.

We will be in touch within 24 hours

An unexpected error has occurred.

You will need to complete the form again, sorry for the inconvenience.

How can we help?

Our staff will provide answers to your questions within 24 hours. Otherwise, if you have a medical emergency please call 000.

*Indicates a required field

References

  1. Tobacco smoking, body mass index, hypertension, and kidney cancer risk in central and eastern Europe. https://www.nature.com/articles/6604761
  2. Family history of cancer and renal cell cancer risk in Caucasians and African Americans. British Journal of Cancer volume 102, pages1676–1680 (2010). https://www.nature.com/articles/6605680
  3. Obesity and Kidney Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27909903/
  4. Hypertension and risk of renal cell carcinoma among white and black americans. Epidemiology. 2011 Nov; 22(6): 797–804. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182300720. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188386/
  5. Renal cell carcinoma and occupational exposure to chemicals in Canada. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12063361/

Read next

Treatment

Chemotherapy

Forms of chemotherapy can be used in the treatment of cancer.

Treatment

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may be offered in the early stages of cancer treatment, or after it has started to spread. There are different radiation therapy techniques which may be suitable for different cancer types at different stages.

Page

Our centres

Across Australia, the UK, the USA, and Spain we have over 440 oncology, cardiology & sleep medicine centres.

Page

Our doctors

GenesisCare attracts and retains some of the most experienced doctors in the country.

US Genesis Logo

GenesisCare

Who is GenesisCare
Safety and quality: Oncology
GenesisCare Foundation

Website policies

Our privacy policy
Employee privacy policy
Open disclosure & credentialing policies
Cookie preferences

Contact us

COVID-19
Careers
Make an enquiry at GenesisCare
Refer a patient
Provide feedback

Media & Social

News Room - What's been happening
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Youtube
Vimeo

Copyright © 2023 GenesisCare. All Rights Reserved.