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Kidney Cancer
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Kidney Cancer signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Kidney cancer may not cause symptoms early and is sometimes found on imaging done for another reason. Blood in the urine should always be evaluated.
Kidney cancer is more common later in adulthood but can occur in younger people, particularly with inherited syndromes. Blood in the urine is not normal at any age.
• Smoking
• Obesity and high blood pressure
• Certain inherited syndromes, including von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Long-term dialysis or acquired cystic kidney disease
• Family history and some workplace exposures
• Smoking
• Obesity and high blood pressure
• Certain inherited syndromes, including von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Long-term dialysis or acquired cystic kidney disease
• Family history and some workplace exposures
• Blood in the urine—even once
• Persistent pain in the side or back below the ribs
• A lump or fullness in the side or abdomen
• Unexplained fever, fatigue, anemia, or weight loss
• New high blood pressure or swelling in the legs in some cases
Contact a clinician promptly for visible blood in the urine or persistent flank pain. Heavy bleeding, clots with inability to urinate, fainting, or severe pain needs urgent care.
• Blood in the urine—even once
• Persistent pain in the side or back below the ribs
• A lump or fullness in the side or abdomen
• Unexplained fever, fatigue, anemia, or weight loss
• New high blood pressure or swelling in the legs in some cases
Contact a clinician promptly for visible blood in the urine or persistent flank pain. Heavy bleeding, clots with inability to urinate, fainting, or severe pain needs urgent care.
There is no routine kidney cancer screening test for average-risk people. Those with certain inherited syndromes may need regular imaging through a specialist program.
• Urine testing and blood tests
• Ultrasound or CT of the kidneys and urinary tract
• MRI for selected situations
• Urology evaluation
• Biopsy in some cases; imaging and surgery may establish the diagnosis in others
There is no routine kidney cancer screening test for average-risk people. Those with certain inherited syndromes may need regular imaging through a specialist program.
• Urine testing and blood tests
• Ultrasound or CT of the kidneys and urinary tract
• MRI for selected situations
• Urology evaluation
• Biopsy in some cases; imaging and surgery may establish the diagnosis in others
• What are the possible causes of blood in my urine?
• Which imaging test examines the entire urinary tract?
• Do I need a urology referral?
• Could my family history suggest an inherited kidney cancer syndrome?
• What are the possible causes of blood in my urine?
• Which imaging test examines the entire urinary tract?
• Do I need a urology referral?
• Could my family history suggest an inherited kidney cancer syndrome?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer.html
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