Not all lesions in the kidney are cancerous. Some kidney lesions are benign, such as renal cell adenoma, renal oncocytoma and angiomyolipoma. While these are not cancerous, they can impair kidney function and cause pain or other symptoms. It is important to consult a doctor who will evaluate if the tumour is cancerous or benign (not cancer) and advise you if any treatment is needed.
Kidney cancer can be successfully treated especially when detected early. The likelihood of a cure depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, how aggressive the cancer is, how far it has spread, and the patient’s overall health and response to treatment.
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of kidney cancer. The disease is often diagnosed during an ultrasound or CT scan when patients are being investigated for other health complaints. Symptoms may include blood in the urine, an abdominal mass, persistent pain in the lower back or side, loss of appetite, sudden and unexplained weight loss or anaemia. While the symptoms may be caused by a number of other reasons, they should not be ignored. You should make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any signs or symptoms that worry you.
The most common type of kidney cancer which occurs in 9 out of 10 kidney cancer cases is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). There are several different types of RCC - clear cell RCC (the most common), papillary RCC (the 2nd most common) and chromophobe RCC (a rare form). Each of the RCCs is different in how they develop and change over time or how aggressive they are. It is important to get the right diagnosis from your doctor to ensure that you get the right treatment needed for the type of kidney cancer you have.
