Kidney Cancer


Also called: Hypernephroma, Renal adenocarcinoma, Renal cell cancer
You have two kidneys. They are fist-sized organs on either side of your backbone above your waist. The tubes inside filter and clean your blood, taking out waste products and making urine. Kidney cancer forms in the lining of tiny tubes inside your kidneys. It happens most often in people over 40. Risk factors include smoking, having certain genetic conditions and misusing pain medicines for a long time.
Often, kidney cancer doesn't have early symptoms. However, see your health care provider if you notice
Blood in your urine
A lump in your abdomen
Unexplained weight loss
Pain in your side
Loss of appetite
Treatment depends on your age, your overall health and how advanced the cancer is. It might include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or biologic therapy. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer.
National Cancer Institute
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What Is Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma)?(American Cancer Society)
Also available in Spanish
What You Need to Know about Kidney Cancer(National Cancer Institute)