Cancer Types
Common cancer types: symptoms, diagnostic methods and current treatment options.
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Kidney Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Current Treatment Options
Sources reviewed by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali OğulLast updated: October 2026
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that is often noticed incidentally during imaging done for another reason, and in its treatment immunotherapy and targeted drugs have come to the fore in recent years. The treatment plan is determined by evaluating the size, subtype and spread of the tumour and the patient’s kidney function together.
Key information
| Definition | A malignant tumour arising from kidney tubule cells (mostly clear cell renal cell carcinoma) |
|---|---|
| Main risks | Smoking, excess weight, high blood pressure, advanced kidney disease/dialysis, VHL syndrome |
| Common symptoms | Mostly no symptoms; blood in the urine, one-sided flank pain, a mass, weight loss |
| Diagnosis | Contrast-enhanced CT or MRI, needle biopsy when necessary |
| Treatment | Surgery, ablation, active surveillance, immunotherapy, targeted drugs |
What is kidney cancer?
The great majority of kidney cancers seen in adults are renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The most common subtype is clear cell RCC; papillary and chromophobe types are less common. The subtype affects the course of the disease and the choice of drug [1][5].
What causes kidney cancer? Risk factors
Smoking, excess weight and high blood pressure are the main risk factors. Advanced kidney disease requiring dialysis, a family history of kidney cancer, occupational exposure to certain chemicals and inherited syndromes such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) also increase the risk [2].
How common is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer mostly occurs at older ages; the average age at diagnosis is around 65 and it is rare under 45. It is about twice as common in men as in women [4].
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Small tumours usually cause no symptoms. In larger or advanced tumours, the following may be seen [3]:
- Blood in the urine
- One-sided flank pain not related to an injury
- A palpable mass in the side or lower back
- Fever that does not go away, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss
- Anaemia
These symptoms can also be seen in other diseases; blood in the urine in particular should always be evaluated.
How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT or MRI shows the characteristics and spread of the mass in the kidney. A thoracic CT is added for staging. A needle biopsy is done if the imaging findings are uncertain or if it is needed for the treatment decision [1]. The disease is staged according to the TNM system; in advanced stages, risk scores help in choosing treatment [5].
Genetic assessment
In patients who present at a young age, with tumours in both kidneys or with more than one tumour, or who have a family history, genetic counselling for inherited syndromes such as VHL may be recommended [2][5].
How is kidney cancer treated?
Treatment is planned by evaluating the stage and subtype of the tumour and the patient’s general condition together. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul’s approach is to evaluate patient files in a multidisciplinary tumour board with specialists in urology, radiology, radiation oncology and pathology.
Localised disease
The mainstay of treatment is surgery: partial nephrectomy, which preserves the kidney when possible, or radical nephrectomy when necessary. In small tumours, freezing (cryotherapy) or heat destruction (thermal ablation) and, in selected patients, active surveillance are also among the options [1][5].
Treatment after surgery
In patients with clear cell RCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery, giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab for about one year significantly prolonged disease-free survival [6].
Metastatic disease
In the first line, immunotherapy combinations are the standard: nivolumab with ipilimumab, or an immunotherapy drug used together with a drug that targets blood vessel formation such as axitinib, cabozantinib or lenvatinib [1][5]. In later lines, different targeted drugs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors) can be used. Surgical removal of the kidney or of limited metastases is also considered in selected patients. The role of classical chemotherapy in clear cell kidney cancer is limited [5].
Latest regulatory updates for this cancer type: Kidney Cancer: Latest Developments
Side effects and follow-up during treatment
Immunotherapy can cause immune-related inflammation in the thyroid, skin, bowel, liver or lungs. With targeted drugs, high blood pressure, diarrhoea, fatigue and hand-foot skin reactions may occur. Reporting side effects early allows treatment to be continued safely. After treatment, regular follow-up is done with kidney function tests and imaging [5].
Can kidney cancer be prevented?
There is no certain method of prevention; however, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping blood pressure under control can reduce the risk [2]. There is no population-based screening programme; people with an inherited risk such as VHL can be followed with regular imaging.
Frequently asked questions
No. Most kidney cysts and some solid masses are benign. The distinction is made with contrast-enhanced CT or MRI and, if needed, biopsy [1].
Yes. If the other kidney is healthy, a normal life can be led with one kidney or with part of a kidney. Kidney-preserving surgery is therefore preferred whenever possible [1].
In patients at low risk of recurrence, usually only follow-up is done; if the risk is high, immunotherapy after surgery can be considered [6].
Call +90 530 250 54 85 or write to the same number via WhatsApp. The outpatient clinic is open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00.
At the medical oncology outpatient clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Oncology Hospital, Çiftlikköy Campus, 33110 Yenişehir/Mersin, Türkiye. The assessment is done in person.
When needed, yes. The multidisciplinary tumour board meets every Friday from 09:00 to 13:00, and the sequence of surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment is planned jointly.
Yes. A second opinion is a common way to clarify a treatment plan. Bring your pathology, imaging and discharge reports to the clinic for the assessment.
Pathology report, imaging reports and, if possible, the image CDs, discharge summary, recent blood tests and a list of the medicines you take. Translated copies are helpful if your documents are not in Turkish or English.
Medical oncology consultation for kidney cancer in Mersin
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, or your diagnostic work-up is ongoing, you can apply for a medical oncology consultation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Oncology Hospital (Çiftlikköy Campus, 33110 Yenişehir/Mersin, Türkiye). Medical oncology covers the planning of drug treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy, the monitoring of side effects and follow-up after treatment. The hospital has a day treatment unit where drug treatments are given.
Treatment decisions are made by a team. When needed, patient files are discussed at the multidisciplinary tumour board, which meets every Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 with specialists from the relevant departments.
For appointments, call +90 530 250 54 85 or send a WhatsApp message to the same number with your name, diagnosis and reason for the request; you can also send your reports. The outpatient clinic is open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00. No diagnosis or treatment recommendation is given via WhatsApp; the assessment takes place in person at the clinic. Consultations are held in Turkish.
Appointment
Evaluation and second opinion
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer or would like a second opinion on your treatment plan, you can contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Oğul with your imaging, surgery and pathology reports.
This content is for information only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
References
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version. Updated: 12.05.2025. https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/patient/kidney-treatment-pdq
- American Cancer Society (ACS). Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer. Last revised: 01.05.2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
- American Cancer Society (ACS). Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer. Last revised: 01.05.2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
- American Cancer Society (ACS). Key Statistics About Kidney Cancer. Last revised: 16.01.2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
- Powles T, et al. Renal cell carcinoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2024;35(8):692-706. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.05.537
- Choueiri TK, et al. Adjuvant Pembrolizumab after Nephrectomy in Renal-Cell Carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(8):683-694. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2106391
Links open external sources. The references were accessible as of October 2026.