Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is when abnormal cells in either of the kidneys start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs and may spread to other areas of the body.
Kidneys are part of your urinary system. This system filters waste products out of the blood and makes urine. It includes:
2 kidneys
2 ureters
bladder
prostate (in men)
urethra
The kidneys are two bean shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are near the middle of your back, one on either side of your spine.
Inside the kidney tiny networks of tubes called nephrons filter the blood. As blood passes through the nephrons extra water and waste are taken away. Any substances that your body needs are returned to the bloodstream.
Inside the nephrons waste products move from the small blood vessels into urine collecting tubes. The urine gathers in an area called the renal pelvis at the centre of each kidney. From here it drains down a tube called the ureter and into the bladder.
There are 2 ureters, one from each kidney. Another tube called the urethra carries the urine from the bladder out of your body when you need to pee.
The kidneys have a very rich blood supply. Blood passes through in large amounts so the kidneys can filter it to remove waste products.
The large blood vessels carrying waste products to the kidneys are called the renal arteries. There are also large blood vessels carrying the cleaned blood away. These are called the renal veins.
The kidneys also produce 3 important hormones:
erythropoietin (EPO), which tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells
renin, which regulates blood pressure
calcitriol (a form of vitamin D), which helps the intestine absorb calcium to keep your bones healthy
Above each kidney is an adrenal gland. These small glands make important hormones:
cortisol, a natural steroid hormone
aldosterone, which helps to regulate the body’s water balance
adrenaline, a hormone released when you are stressed
noradrenaline, an adrenaline-like hormone
The kidneys are made up of different types of cells. The type of cancer you have depends on the type of cell the cancer started in.
The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell cancer (RCC). It starts in the cells lining the tubules (the smallest tubes) inside the nephrons.
The main type of renal cell cancer is clear cell cancer. Other types include:
papillary cell cancer
chromophobe cell cancer
Kidney cancer is more common in older people. It's diagnosed more often in men than women.
Factors that increase your risk of kidney cancer include:
smoking
being overweight or obese
Around 11,900 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer in the UK each year.
Last reviewed: 22 Jan 2024
Next review due: 22 Jan 2027
Most people who are diagnosed with kidney cancer do not have any symptoms. When someone does have symptoms, these might include blood in the urine or a lump in the kidney area.
Tests tell your doctor more about the kidney cancer. They tell them the sort of kidney cell it started in (type). And how much the cells look like normal cells (grade). They also show how big the cancer is and if it has spread (stage).
We don't know what causes most kidney cancers. But some factors may increase the risk of getting it. These include getting older, smoking and some rare inherited conditions.
You should see your GP first if you notice a change that isn't normal for you. They will do some tests and may refer you to a specialist if they think your symptoms could be due to kidney cancer.
Treatments for kidney cancer include surgery, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation and radiotherapy. You might have different treatment for advanced kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the kidneys. The kidneys filter waste products out of your blood as urine. Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells in either of the kidneys start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way.
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