Written with men in mind. Most of this guide applies to everyone. Details specific to women — such as screening ages and risks that differ — are not covered yet; female health guides are being written.
What it is
Kidney cancer most often starts in the lining of the tiny tubes in the kidney that filter blood and make urine. It's called renal cell cancer.[1]
The kidneys sit against the back wall of the abdomen on either side of the spine, with an adrenal gland on top of each. Early kidney cancer often causes no symptoms.[1][2]
Small renal masses may be treated by partial nephrectomy to preserve kidney function; larger tumours by radical nephrectomy (kidney, adrenal gland, surrounding tissue and usually regional nodes). Ablation, embolisation, stereotactic radiation, immunotherapy and targeted agents are used depending on stage and fitness for surgery.[1]
See the kidneys against the back wall of the abdomen, with an adrenal gland on top of each.
See it in 3DHow common it is
The American Cancer Society estimates about 80,450 new kidney cancers (50,770 in men) in the US in 2026.[3]
Causes and risk factors
Things you can't change
Things you can change
Symptoms worth reporting to a doctor
- Blood in the urine
- A lump in the abdomen
- A pain in the side that doesn't go away
- Loss of appetite, weight loss without trying, or anaemia
Early kidney cancer may cause no symptoms, and these can have other causes — check with your doctor.[1]
How it's diagnosed
Stages in general terms
In general terms:[4]
- Localised: still where it started.
- Regional: spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
- Distant: spread to other parts of the body.
An illustration, not a stage. Human Atlas never assigns a stage. Only your own tests and your care team can do that.
Types of treatment
- Surgery. Removing the tumour and some nearby tissue (partial nephrectomy), or the whole kidney (simple or radical nephrectomy).[1]
- Ablation and embolisation. Freezing, heating, or blocking blood flow to the tumour when surgery isn't an option.[1]
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Medicines for cancers that have spread or are at high risk of returning.[1]
- Radiation therapy. Including highly focused radiation in some cases.[1]
Which option fits depends on the details of each person’s situation. Your care team decides with you.
What you can do
Questions to ask your doctor
- How big is the tumour, and can part of my kidney be saved?
- Do I need a biopsy?
- Is active monitoring an option for a small mass?
- How will my kidney function be checked after treatment?
Myth vs. fact
Guided lesson
Plus Chapter 1 is free for everyone.
Follow this topic step by step on the 3D body.
Start chapter 1 freeRelated topics
Bladder cancer
Much more common in men than women. Blood in the urine — even once, even painless — is the sign never to ignore.
High blood pressure
Half of US men have it, and most people feel nothing. A simple check finds it; habits and medicines control it.
Understanding cancer: the basics
What cancer is, how screening differs from diagnosis, what 'stage' means, and the main types of treatment — in plain English.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version. Checked 23 October 2026.
- National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules. Kidneys. Checked 23 October 2026.
- American Cancer Society. Key Statistics About Kidney Cancer (2026 estimates). Checked 23 October 2026.
- National Cancer Institute. Cancer Staging. Checked 23 October 2026.
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Hypertension in Adults: Screening (April 2021). Checked 23 October 2026.
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Top 10 Things to Know. Checked 23 October 2026.
The owner of this website is not a doctor. Human Atlas provides educational anatomy information and does not diagnose, stage, or treat disease. Talk to a qualified clinician about anything concerning your own health.