Kidney cancer

Most kidney cancers – around 90% – are renal cell carcinomas (RCC),* which develop in cells that line the small tubes (nephrons) found in the kidney’s filtering system. Usually only one kidney has a single tumour, but sometimes there may be more than one tumour or both kidneys are affected. The most common subtype of RCC is called clear cell RCC.^1,2

*Cancer Australia. Kidney cancer: types of kidney cancer. October 2023.

Other, less common types of kidney cancer include:^1,2

• Urothelial carcinoma (or transitional cell carcinoma) – these can develop in the ureter (tube connecting the kidney to the bladder) or renal pelvis (where the kidney and ureter meet), and often behave more like bladder cancers than kidney cancers
• Wilms tumour (or nephroblastoma) – these are usually diagnosed in younger children, and often not diagnosed until the tumours become quite large
• Renal sarcoma – these are a rare cancer that start in blood vessels or other tissues in the kidney

Kidney cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages. Common symptoms associated with kidney cancer may include:^1,2

• Blood in the urine (haematuria)
• Change in urine colour – red, dark, rusty, or brown
• Frequent urination or urinating at night
• Pain in the side or lower back
• A lump in the abdomen or side
• Fatigue (constant tiredness)
• Fever not associated with colds or flu
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Symptoms associated with conditions of abnormal blood production (e.g., anaemia)

These are not all the possible symptoms of kidney cancer. Symptoms and their severity will vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be difficult to notice. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have kidney cancer. If you are concerned or have any questions, please speak with your GP or specialist.^1,2

The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but different factors may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. These risk factors may include:^1,2

• Smoking
  
• Being overweight or obese
• High blood pressure
• Advanced kidney disease
• Sex – RCC is more common in men than women
• Family history of kidney cancer
• Certain genetic conditions
• Exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., arsenic, cadmium)
• Misuse of certain types of pain medicines over a long time

If you have one or more of these risk factors, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will develop kidney cancer. If you have any questions or concerns about kidney cancer risk factors regarding, please speak with your GP or specialist.^1,2

Different tests may be performed to assess symptoms and to diagnose kidney cancer, including identifying the disease type and stage. As well as a physical examination, tests may include:^1,2

• Blood and urine tests – although these tests cannot diagnose kidney cancer on their own, they may help to understand general health and check for problems in kidney function
• Imaging scans – ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may be used to detect kidney cancer or assess if it has spread
• Biopsy – a small amount of kidney tissue is removed so the cells can be examined under a microscope; a biopsy may be used to confirm a diagnosis of kidney cancer, but is not always necessary before starting treatment

Surgery aims to remove the cancer, and may involve the removal of part of a kidney, a whole kidney, or a whole kidney and some surrounding tissues

Uses a controlled dose of radiation, usually in the form of high-energy x-rays, to help kill cancer cells or slow their growth and spread.

Helps a patient’s own immune system fight the cancer, with different types of immunotherapies that work in different ways used to treat different cancers.

Uses drugs that are designed to attack certain features of cancer cells to stop their growth and spread.