Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably within kidney tissue, most commonly as renal cell carcinoma. It may remain silent in early stages and is often detected incidentally during imaging for other medical problems. When symptoms appear, they may include blood in urine, flank pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or a lump in the abdomen. Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and family history can increase kidney cancer risk.

Diagnosis usually includes ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and biopsy when needed. Treatment depends on tumor size and spread, and may involve surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or systemic cancer treatment for advanced disease. In localized cases, partial or complete removal of the affected kidney may offer excellent outcomes. Modern kidney cancer treatment increasingly uses targeted medicines and immunotherapy for advanced stages, improving survival and disease control while preserving kidney function whenever possible.