Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women.
Types of kidney cancer include:
Most of the time, early kidney cancers do not usually cause any signs or symptoms. As the cancer grows, some possible signs and symptoms of kidney cancer may include:
According to the American Cancer Society, almost 65,000 people were diagnosed with kidney cancer in the U.S. during 2018. The lifetime risk for developing kidney cancer is about 1 in 63 (1.6%). This risk is higher in men than in women. The average age at diagnosis is 64 and is not common in people younger than 45.
The following may increase an individual’s risk of developing kidney cancer:
As part of our comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and education, Northside offers Built To Quit, a smoking and tobacco cessation program offering resources to help individuals quit smoking and stop using other tobacco products. For additional information please call 404-780-7653 or email smokingcessation@northside.com or click on the button below to register online for an upcoming class.
Northside Hospital’s Cancer Genetics Program is available to patients interested in genetic counseling and testing due to strong personal or family histories of certain genetic factors that can cause kidney cancer. Our team of certified genetic counselors helps patients assess, understand and reduce the risk of developing certain types of genetically influenced cancer such as kidney cancer. For additional information, please call 404-851-6284 or email genetics@northside.com.
Currently, for people with an average risk of developing kidney cancer, there are no recommended screening tests since no test has been shown to lower the overall risk of dying from kidney cancer.
For people with an increased risk of developing kidney cancer, such as inherited conditions listed in Kidney Cancer Risk Factors, many physicians recommend regular imaging tests such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound scans to look for kidney tumors. Kidney cancers that are found early can often be cured.
Kidney cancer incidence rates appear to have stabilized since the mid-2000s following decades of increase, in part due to a rise in cancer detection because of the increased use of medical imaging
Northside’s Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program uses the following tests and procedures to diagnose kidney cancer after a physical examination has been completed:
The strength of Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program is our multidisciplinary team of dedicated, specially trained kidney cancer specialists who work together to provide individualized medical care for each patient. Our Program offers a comprehensive scope of medical services, the latest technology, leading-edge clinical research, and compassionate cancer care.
At Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, cancer specialists work together to provide the best care possible to patients diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Our multidisciplinary cancer care team consists of:
Our team of kidney cancer experts meets regularly during cancer conferences to prospectively discuss kidney cancer patients and agree upon evidence-based Kidney Cancer Treatment Options for each patient. Cancer conferences provide our medical specialists with a forum to discuss each kidney cancer case, review national treatment guidelines, and agree upon a personalized plan of care while considering each patient’s unique life circumstances.
The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program is committed to offering the best treatment options available to kidney cancer patients and ensuring access to care is as convenient as possible. We treat kidney cancer with the latest treatments and technology, including personalized cancer therapies based on the kidney cancer’s specific genetic makeup. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute kidney cancer specialists and supportive care team members work together to ensure all patients receive a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan specific to their cancer needs.
Expand the content below to learn more about each kidney cancer treatment option.
Kidney cancer treatment and recovery can be overwhelming, which is why we have oncology nurse navigators to guide you every step of your cancer journey. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s nurse navigators are registered nurses with extensive knowledge and training in oncology, available to help support patients after their cancer diagnosis and throughout treatment, educating and supporting cancer patients to make informed decisions about their care.
Support provided by oncology nurse navigators includes:
To learn more about oncology patient navigation or to speak with an oncology nurse navigator, please call 404-300-2800 or email nurse.navigator@northside.com.
Ongoing support is crucial when facing kidney cancer and afterward. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute provides a full range of support and survivorship programs and services to address the unique needs of each kidney cancer patient.
