Kidney Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Kidney Cancer?
A urologist, a surgeon who treats kidney and urinary problems, usually leads care for kidney cancer. An oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer with medicine, often joins the team. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer starts in the lining of the tiny tubes inside your kidneys. You have two kidneys. They are fist-sized organs on either side of your backbone, above your waist. The tubes inside filter your blood, remove waste, and make urine.
The most common type in adults is renal cell cancer. Cancer that starts in the renal pelvis or the ureter is a different kind. The renal pelvis is the part of the kidney that collects urine. The ureter is the tube that carries urine to the bladder.
Symptoms
You may have no symptoms at first. Signs may appear as the tumor grows. Common signs include:
- Blood in the urine.
- A lump in the abdomen, the belly area.
- Pain in the side that does not go away.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Anemia, a low level of red blood cells.
Other health problems can cause these signs too. A doctor can find out the cause.
Causes and who gets it
Renal cell cancer starts when changes happen in how kidney cells grow and divide. Kidney cancer becomes more likely as you get older. Risk factors include:
- Smoking tobacco.
- Misusing certain pain medicines, including over-the-counter ones, for a long time.
- Having excess body weight.
- Having high blood pressure.
- A family history of renal cell cancer.
- Certain genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cancer.
Having a risk factor does not mean you will get kidney cancer. Many people with risk factors never get it. Others with no known risk factors do.
How doctors diagnose it
Tests to diagnose kidney cancer include blood, urine, and imaging tests. Your doctor will also ask about your health history and do a physical exam. Imaging tests can include an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI. These make pictures of the inside of your body.
A biopsy means taking a small sample of tissue to look at under a microscope. A thin needle is put into the tumor. You may not need a biopsy if imaging gives enough information.
If cancer is found, more tests show whether it has spread. This is called staging. The stage helps your doctors plan treatment.
Treatment
Treatment depends on your age, your overall health, and how advanced the cancer is. Your cancer care team will plan it with you. Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is often used.
A partial nephrectomy removes the cancer and some tissue around it. A radical nephrectomy removes the kidney, the adrenal gland (a small gland on top of the kidney), surrounding tissue, and usually nearby lymph nodes. A person can live with part of one working kidney. If both kidneys are removed or stop working, a person needs dialysis or a kidney transplant.
If surgery is not possible, other options include freezing the tumor (cryosurgery) or using heat to destroy it (thermal ablation). Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific cancer cells.
Some people join clinical trials, which test new treatments. Ask your care team if a trial is an option for you.
When to see a doctor
See your health care provider if you notice blood in your urine, a lump in your abdomen, weight loss for no reason, pain in your side that does not go away, or loss of appetite. These can have other causes, but they need to be checked.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can check your symptoms, order blood and urine tests, and refer you to a specialist. They can also help coordinate your care during and after treatment.
Common questions
Does kidney cancer cause symptoms early?
Not always. You may have no symptoms at first. Signs may appear as the tumor grows, so tell your doctor about any changes.
Is blood in the urine always kidney cancer?
No. Blood in the urine can be a sign of kidney cancer, but other conditions can cause it too. See your health care provider to find the cause.
Does smoking raise the risk of kidney cancer?
Yes. Smoking tobacco is a risk factor for kidney cancer. It is a risk factor that can be changed.
Can kidney cancer come back?
Yes. Renal cell cancer can come back many years after treatment. It may return in the kidney or in other parts of the body. Follow-up tests and check-ups help doctors watch for this.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Kidney Cancer
- National Cancer Institute - Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
