Kidney (Renal) Cancer

Kidney cancer begins when cells in the kidney grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. The most common adult type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which starts in the tiny tubules that filter the blood; less common are urothelial (transitional cell) cancers of the renal pelvis/ureter, and childhood tumors such as Wilms tumor (managed separately). Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in the U.S.; risk increases with age and is higher in men than women.

Understanding Kidney Cancer Types

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) — the most common adult kidney cancer; arises from the lining of the renal tubules that make urine.
Urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma of the renal pelvis/ureter — a different cancer that starts in the lining of the urine‑collecting system; it behaves more like bladder cancer and is managed with distinct treatments.
Wilms tumor and other childhood kidney cancers — primarily affect children and adolescents and follow pediatric protocols, not adult RCC pathways.

Signs & Symptoms

Kidney cancer may cause no symptoms early on. When present, possible signs include blood in the urine (hematuria), a lump/mass in the abdomen or side, persistent flank/back pain, unexplained weight loss, fever, or fatigue.

Risk Factors

Factors linked to higher risk include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and certain inherited syndromes; long‑term dialysis and family history can also raise risk in some people. For hereditary kidney cancer, syndromes such as von Hippel–Lindau (VHL), Birt–Hogg–Dubé, hereditary papillary RCC, and hereditary leiomyomatosis and RCC (HLRCC) warrant genetic counseling and tailored care plans.

Screening

There is no standard screening test proven to reduce kidney‑cancer deaths in people at average risk; evaluation focuses on recognizing symptoms or imaging findings done for other reasons. People with hereditary syndromes may be offered periodic imaging under a specialist’s plan.

Diagnosis

A typical work‑up can include:

to identify and characterize a renal mass and check for spread.

to assess kidney function and overall health.

is used selectively; many solid renal masses are managed surgically based on imaging and clinical features, whereas urothelial tumors of the renal pelvis/ureter are confirmed and staged with dedicated evaluation (often including ureteroscopy).

Staging & Classification

RCC uses the TNM system (tumor size/extent, lymph nodes, metastasis) to define Stage I–IV, guiding whether surgery alone is appropriate or systemic therapy is needed.
Transitional (urothelial) cancers of the renal pelvis/ureter have their own staging approach and treatment algorithms distinct from RCC.

Treatment Options

Your plan is individualized based on tumor type (RCC vs. urothelial), stage, tumor size/location, overall health, and your goals—coordinated by a multidisciplinary team (urologic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, genetics).

Localized RCC (confined to the kidney or nearby tissue)

Surgery is the primary treatment for most localized RCC: partial nephrectomy (kidney‑sparing) or radical nephrectomy, chosen by tumor size/location and kidney function.
Active surveillance may be reasonable for selected small tumors in patients with limited life expectancy or multiple health issues; ablation (e.g., cryoablation, radiofrequency) can be considered in specific scenarios when surgery is not ideal.

Locally Advanced or Metastatic RCC

Targeted therapies (e.g., VEGF/VEGFR‑directed agents, other TKIs) and immunotherapies (checkpoint inhibitors) are commonly used; regimens are chosen based on disease extent, risk profile, and prior treatments.
Clinical trials are an important option and may provide access to novel combinations or sequences aimed at improving outcomes and limiting toxicity.

Urothelial (Transitional Cell) Cancer of the Renal Pelvis/Ureter

Management often includes nephroureterectomy (surgery to remove the kidney, ureter, and a cuff of bladder), with systemic therapy considered based on stage and features—care mirrors strategies used for urothelial carcinoma elsewhere in the urinary tract.

Because kidney cancers encompass different diseases with different treatments, accurate pathology and staging are essential—and genetics may influence follow‑up and family guidance in hereditary cases. Your Illinois CancerCare physician will review benefits/risks of each option and whether a clinical trial fits your situation. Current Clinical Trials – Illinois CancerCare

Prognosis

Outcomes vary by type and stage. Many localized RCCs are curable with surgery, while advanced disease often requires ongoing systemic therapy; long‑term survival is possible for some, particularly with effective modern targeted and immunotherapy options. Nationally, kidney cancer remains a common diagnosis, but death rates have been falling over many years, reflecting improvements in detection and treatment.

Follow-Up & Survivorship

Follow‑up typically includes periodic imaging and visits to monitor for recurrence or new lesions, assessment of kidney function, and management of therapy side effects; schedules are tailored to tumor type/stage and prior treatments. For patients with or at risk for hereditary syndromes, genetic counseling helps inform surveillance and family member testing when appropriate.

Why Choose Illinois CancerCare

Multidisciplinary kidney cancer care—coordinating surgery, systemic therapy, genetics, imaging, and supportive services—close to home in central Illinois.
Patient‑centered guidance to align treatment with your goals, plus access to clinical trials and referral pathways when helpful. Current Clinical Trials – Illinois CancerCare

Sources & Patient Friendly References

All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute) and ACS (American Cancer Society).