Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the kidney. Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control.
Some kidney tumors are benign (non-cancer). This means they do not metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, although they can still grow and cause problems.
Benign kidney tumors can be treated by removing or destroying them, using many of the same treatments that are also used for kidney cancers, such as surgery or radiofrequency ablation. The choice of treatment depends on many factors, such as the size of the tumor and if it is causing any symptoms, the number of tumors, whether tumors are in both kidneys, and the person’s general health.
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.
Common risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, family history of kidney cancer, exposure to certain chemicals, and certain genetic conditions.
Symptoms may include blood in the urine, pain or a lump in the side or lower back, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and fever.
