Symptoms
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
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from 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 Wales 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.
What happens at the GP appointment
The GP may examine you to feel any lumps or swelling in your back or neck.
They may ask you to give a pee sample or have a blood test.
Referral to a specialist
You may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if the GP thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Tests
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 pee 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
Getting your results
It can take several weeks to get the results of your tests.
Try not to worry if your results are taking a long time to get to you. It doesn't mean anything is definitely wrong.
You can call the hospital or GP if you are worried. They should be able to update you.
A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next. You may want to bring someone with you for support.
If you're told you have kidney cancer
Being told you have kidney cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.
It can help to bring someone with you to any appointments you have.
A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.
You can ask them any questions you have.
Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline that's open every day from 8am to 8pm.
They are there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about.
Call: 0808 808 00 00
Next steps
If you've been told you have kidney cancer, you may need more tests, such as:
These, along with the tests you've already had, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it's spread (called the stage).
You may need a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy.
The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
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
Surgery
If kidney cancer is found early and it has not spread, you may be able to have surgery to remove it.
There are 2 main types of surgery for kidney cancer:
- removing a kidney (nephrectomy)
- removing the cancer but leaving as much of the kidney as possible (partial nephrectomy)
You may also need to have some lymph nodes, which are part of the body’s drainage system, removed.
You'll be supported through surgery and recovery by your specialist care team.
Blocking the blood supply to the cancer
If you're not well enough to have surgery, you may be offered a treatment to block its blood supply instead. This is called arterial embolism.
It can help to shrink the cancer and control your symptoms.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is where small needles are passed through the skin to freeze the cancer cells. The frozen cells drop off and are replaced by normal cells.
You may have cryotherapy for kidney cancer if:
- the cancer is small
- you’re not well enough to have surgery
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is where radio waves are used to kill cancer cells. It’s given using a needle that’s passed through your skin into your kidney.
You may have radiofrequency ablation for kidney cancer if:
- the cancer is small and you're too unwell to have surgery to remove it
- the cancer is large or has spread, to help control your symptoms
Targeted medicines
Targeted cancer medicines aim to stop the cancer from growing.
You may have treatment with targeted medicines for kidney cancer if:
- the cancer has spread to other parts of your body
- the cancer has come back after treatment
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
It’s not used very often for kidney cancer, but is sometimes used to control symptoms if:
- the cancer cannot be removed by surgery
- the cancer has spread to other parts of your body
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.
It’s not used very often for kidney cancer, but may be used if you have certain types of kidney cancer.
What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you have advanced kidney cancer, it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.
If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.
You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.
They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.
Support organisations
Where to find help and support
You and your loved ones will be supported throughout your treatment by a group of specialists.
The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.
There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about kidney cancer.
Kidney Cancer UK
Information and support for anyone affected by kidney cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
A charity for anyone affected by cancer that offers online and telephone support.
Cancer Research UK
A charity that provides information about cancer, plus online support and information about clinical trials.
Maggie's Centres
Practical, emotional and social support for anyone affected by cancer.
Marie Curie
Care and support for anyone affected by a terminal illness.