Kidney cancer often develops without obvious symptoms in the early stages, which is why it’s sometimes discovered during scans for other health issues. As the tumour grows, symptoms may begin to appear, including:

• Blood in the urine (haematuria) –which may appear pink, red, or brown

• Persistent pain or ache in the side or lower back

• A lump or mass in the abdomen or side

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue or feeling unusually tired

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions too, but it’s important to see your doctor if any of them persist. Early diagnosis improves the chances of successful treatment.

Diagnosing kidney cancer usually begins when symptoms are reported or an abnormality is found during imaging for another reason. To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the disease, we may recommend:

• Imaging scans

  • CT scan or MRI – the most accurate ways to identify kidney tumours, determine their size, and check if cancer has spread.

  • Ultrasound – often used as an initial, non-invasive test to detect kidney masses.

• Urine tests – to look for blood or signs of infection.

• Blood tests – to check kidney function and overall health.

• Biopsy – in some cases, a small tissue sample may be taken from the kidney to confirm the cancer type, though this isn’t always necessary if imaging is clear.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, further tests may be done to see if the cancer has spread (staging), which helps guide treatment decisions. Early detection increases the chances of effective treatment.

Treatment for kidney cancer depends on the type, size, and stage of the tumour,as well as your overall health.

Common treatment options include:

1. Surgery

   The most common treatment, especially if the cancer is confined to the kidney.

   May involve removing part of the kidney (partial nephrectomy) or the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy), often using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy or robotic-assisted surgery.

2. Active Surveillance

   For small, slow-growing tumours (especially in older or high-risk patients), careful monitoring with regular scans may be recommended instead of immediate treatment.

3. Ablation Therapies

   Techniques like radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation use heat or cold to destroy cancer cells, and may be suitable for small tumours or those who can’t have surgery.

4. Targeted Therapy

   Drugs that block specific pathways cancer cells use to grow. These are often used for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer.

5. Immunotherapy

   Boosts the body’s immune system to help fight cancer. Commonly used when kidney cancer has spread beyond the kidney.

6. Radiation Therapy

   Not commonly used to treat the main kidney tumour but may help relieve pain or symptoms if cancer has spread.