Kidney cancer

Symptoms of kidney cancer

Symptoms

Causes of kidney cancer

Causes

Causes of kidney cancer

Prevention

Tests and next steps for kidney cancer

Diagnosis

Treatment for kidney cancer

Medical treatments

Kidney cancer does not always have symptoms, but they can include blood in your pee and pain in your lower back or side.

Anyone can get kidney cancer, but it's more common in people who are over 60, who smoke, who are overweight or who have high blood pressure.

Kidney cancer is not always preventable. But lifestyle changes like staying a healthy weight or lowering your blood pressure can lower your risk.

Testing for kidney cancer usually involves a CT or ultrasound scan, a cystoscopy, or testing a small sample of cells from the kidney.

Kidney cancer is usually treatable. Treatment depends on the stage and type of kidney cancer, and may include surgery, cryotherapy and medicines.

Main tests for kidney cancer

If your GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have kidney cancer, you'll usually have some tests and scans.

These may include:

• an ultrasound scan
• a CT scan
• a cystoscopy – a camera is passed through the tube that carries pees out of your body (urethra) to look inside your bladder
• using a needle to collect a small sample of cells from 1 of your kidneys (biopsy) for testing

Who is more likely to get kidney cancer

Anyone can get kidney cancer, but some things can increase your chances of getting it.

You may be more likely to get it if you:

• have a close relative with kidney cancer
• smoke
• are overweight or living with obesity
• have high blood pressure
• have certain inherited genetic conditions, such as tuberous sclerosis
• are having long-term dialysis for chronic kidney disease
• had radiotherapy near your kidneys, for example in your pelvis

How to reduce your chances of getting kidney cancer

You cannot always prevent kidney cancer. But making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it.

Do

• quit smoking

• try to lose weight if you're overweight

• make lifestyle changes if you have high blood pressure, such as cutting back on salt, alcohol and caffeine

Main treatments for kidney cancer

The treatment you have for kidney cancer will depend on:

• the type of kidney cancer you have
• where it is and how big it is
• if it has spread
• your general health

Treatment may include surgery, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, targeted medicines, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and any side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• help you manage any side effects

Main symptoms of kidney cancer

Often there are no obvious symptoms of kidney cancer. It's usually diagnosed when testing for something else.

When there are symptoms, they can include:

• blood in your pee
• a lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
• pain between your ribs and waist that does not go away
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling tired or having no energy
• a high temperature that does not go away
• sweating a lot, including at night

When and where to get medical help

If you have symptoms that could be caused by kidney cancer they need to be checked.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 now if:

• your pee is smelly, cloudy or has blood in it
• it is painful to pee or you need to pee suddenly or more often
• you have a pain in your back, under your ribs that does not go away
• you have pain in your genitals
• you have a lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck

It’s important to get help as soon as possible as the symptoms can be similar to a kidney infection , which can be serious if it's not treated quickly.

Get help from 111 online or call 111.

See a GP if you have:

• lost a noticeable amount of weight
• a high temperature that does not go away
• no energy or extreme tiredness (fatigue)

Important

Some of these symptoms are common and can be caused by many different conditions.

Having them does not definitely mean you have kidney cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.

This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it's more treatable.