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Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer refers to cancer that develops within the kidney.

Last modified: December 16, 2021

Quick facts about kidney cancerQuick facts

Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in Australian men and women
The rate of survival after having kidney cancer for five years is 80%
The rate of survival has improved by almost 30% over the last twenty-five years

Types of kidney cancerTypes of kidney cancer

The kidney plays an important role in removing excess water, salt and waste products from the blood which then becomes urine, and helps control certain processes in the body such blood pressure.

Types of kidney cancer include:

Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the kidney’s filtration system (proximal renal tubules). This is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for 90% of all kidney cancer diagnoses.

Urothelial carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the transitional cells which line the renal pelvis (where the ureters meet the kidneys). This accounts for 5-10% of all kidney cancer cases and includes Hürthle cell carcinoma.

Wilms tumour

This is a rare cancer that develops in the kidneys from the abnormal growth of early kidney cells, most commonly in children.

Renal sarcoma

Renal sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in the connective tissue or blood vessels of the kidney. This accounts for less than 1% of all kidney cancer diagnoses.

Signs and symptoms of kidney cancerSigns and symptoms

As signs and symptoms for kidney cancer can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a kidney cancer diagnosis.

Kidney cancer can be difficult to detect as there are often no symptoms during the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

Blood in urine
Pain or discomfort in the lower back or side
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
A mass or lump in the abdomen
Fever

Stages of kidney cancerStages

The TNM system is used to stage kidney cancer and helps doctors understand what your cancer looks like. TNM stands for:

Tumour – The size of the tumour
Node – If the cancer has involved any lymph nodes
Metastasis – Whether the cancer has metastasised (spread) to other areas of the body

The TNM information, along with other tests, helps determine the stage of your breast cancer using the guidelines below:

Stage I

The cancer is no larger than 7cm across and confined to the kidney.

Stage II

The cancer is larger than 7cm across and confined to the kidney.

Stage III

The cancer has grown into a major vein or surrounding tissue, but not the adrenal gland or beyond Gerota’s fascia. Alternatively, the tumour is any size and has spread the nearby lymph nodes but not beyond Gerota’s fascia.

Stage IV

The cancer has grown beyond Gerota’s fascia and may be growing into the adrenal gland. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Alternatively, the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or organs.

Treatment for kidney cancer

There are many different types of treatment for kidney cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about kidney cancerFAQs

Is kidney cancer hereditary?

People who have a family history of kidney cancer or who have inherited certain types of genetic conditions may have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. These syndromes include von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, hereditary leiomyoma renal cell carcinoma, hereditary renal oncocytoma and familial renal cancer (renal cancer which affects multiple generations of a family).

If you have a family history of kidney cancer or other cancers related to these genetic syndromes, we encourage you to speak with your doctor who may recommend genetic counselling and genetic testing.

In the majority of kidney cancer cases, the genetic changes that cause kidney cancer are acquired during a person’s lifetime, rather than inherited.

What causes kidney cancer?

While the exact causes of kidney cancer are unknown, factors known to increase the risk of developing kidney cancer include:

Smoking
High blood pressure
Being overweight or obese
Receiving long-term treatment for chronic kidney failure
Having a family history of kidney cancer
Inherited conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, hereditary leiomyoma renal cell carcinoma, hereditary renal oncocytoma or familial renal cancer

How common is kidney cancer?

Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in Australian men and women, and represents almost 3% of all new cancer diagnoses in Australia each year.

It affects both men and women, young and old, however is more common in people aged 70 to 74 years old.

What can I do to decrease my risk of kidney cancer?

There are a number of lifestyle-related factors you can consider to reduce your risk of developing cancer in general, like:

Quitting smoking – It is estimated that up to a third of kidney cancers are caused by smoking
Maintaining a healthy weight
Controlling high blood pressure
Getting regular exercise– Cancer Australia recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day
Reducing your alcohol intake – If you choose to drink, try to limit your alcohol intake to no more than two standard drinks a day
Eating a healthy, balanced diet – Eat a fibre-rich diet from grain and legume sources, as well as enjoy a variety of fruit (2 serves) and vegetables (5 serves) per day, limit your intake of salt, saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat

Certain substances such as trichloroethylene can increase the risk of kidney cancer and avoiding exposure to these substances may assist with decreasing your risk of developing cancer.

How is kidney cancer diagnosed?

Although there are no recommended screening programs for kidney cancer in Australia, there are many different tests that are used (alongside a physical examination) to help diagnose kidney cancer. This may include urine and blood tests and biopsy. Further tests may include CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, chest x-ray or radioisotope bone scans to detect if the cancer has spread.

Are there clinical trials available for kidney cancer that I can participate in?

Icon offers clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types and treatments. If you would like more information on participating in a clinical trial, please speak with your doctor who will be able to find a trial that might be right for you and your cancer.

See current clinical trials delivered by Icon Cancer Centre.

ReferencesReferences

For a full list of references, click here.

Australian Government -Cancer Australia. (2020). Kidney cancer in Australia statistics. Retrieved on 6 December 2021 from https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/kidney-cancer/kidney-cancer-australia-statistics
Cancer Council. (2021). Kidney cancer. Retrieved on 6 December 2021 from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/kidney-cancer
American Cancer Society. (2020). Kidney Cancer. Retrieved on 3 May 2021 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer.html
Cancer Council Victoria. (2017). Kidney cancer. Retrieved on 3 May 2021 from https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/kidney_cancer/kidney-cancer-overview.html
American Cancer Society. (2021). Kidney Cancer Stages. Retrieved on 6 December 2021 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html
Mayo Clinic. (2020). Kidney cancer. Retrieved on 3 May 2021 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352664

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