What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in your kidney.
It is also sometimes called renal cancer. Renal means to do with the kidneys.
The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Nine out of ten kidney cancers are RCCs. There are different types of RCC, depending on the type of cell that is affected.
Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, with around 13,900 people diagnosed a year.
Kidney cancer usually only affects one of your two kidneys.
Kidney Cancer UK has more information on the types of kidney cancer.
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13,900 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year
Kidney Cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK
What causes kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of your kidney cells. These cells then grow abnormally quickly and develop into a growth or tumour. There is often no direct cause for these mutations.
Who does kidney cancer affect?
Kidney cancer can affect anyone but you are more likely to develop it if you:
- are over 60. This is because DNA damage gets worse over time.
- are male. Men are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than women, although the reason for this is unknown.
- have chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD can lead to a build-up of waste products and toxins in your kidneys, which can increase your risk of developing kidney cancer. Long-term dialysis treatment has also been linked to potential cell damage and cancer development.
- smoke
- are overweight
- eat a lot of red and processed meat
- have high blood pressure
- have a close relative with kidney cancer
Even if you do not fall into one of these categories, it is important to get any symptoms (see below) checked by your GP.
Can kidney cancer be prevented?
Kidney cancer cannot always be prevented. However, you can reduce your chances of developing it by:
- stopping smoking
- losing weight if you are overweight
- making lifestyle changes if you have high blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes might include keeping active and cutting back on salt, alcohol and caffeine. Your GP can support you with information and advice.
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Most people do not have any symptoms of kidney cancer at first. When symptoms do develop, they may include:
- blood in your wee (haematuria)
- a lump, pain or swelling in your back, neck or under your ribs
- loss of appetite
- losing weight without trying to
- feeling tired or lacking in energy
- a persistent high temperature
- excess sweating, especially at night
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer as they may be caused by something else. However, it is important to get them checked by a GP to be sure.
If symptoms are caused by kidney cancer, finding the cancer early makes it more treatable.
How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
As kidney cancer often does not cause any symptoms, it may be diagnosed after you have a routine scan or are tested for something else.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above it is important to see your GP to get them checked. Your GP will examine you for any lumps or swellings and may arrange for a urine or blood test.
You may be referred for more tests, either at your GP practice or in hospital. This does not necessarily mean that you have kidney cancer but rather that your GP wants to confirm what might be happening.
Specialist tests may include:
Your GP will tell you how long it will take to get the results. This may take a few weeks.
If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, you will be given a lot more information about your condition and the treatment options. You will be looked after by a team of specialists who will answer any questions you might have.
How is kidney cancer treated?
Your treatment will depend on:
- the type of kidney cancer you have
- if the cancer has spread
- your general health
Your healthcare team will discuss the different treatment options, their benefits and any side effects. They will work with you to develop a personal treatment plan and help you to manage any side effects.
Treatment options may include:
Surgery (nephrectomy)
If your kidney cancer is found early and hasn’t spread outside of the kidneys, you may be offered surgery to either remove the whole kidney (nephrectomy) or remove just the affected part and leave as much of the kidney as possible (partial nephrectomy).
If your healthcare team feel that you are not well enough for surgery, you may have an arterial embolism instead. This is a procedure to block the blood supply to your kidney, which can help to shrink the cancer and control your symptoms.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses small needles to freeze the cancer cells which are then replaced by healthy, non-cancerous cells.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment that uses radio waves to kill your cancer cells.
Medication
You may be offered targeted cancer medication to help stop your cancer from growing or spreading to other parts of your body. You may also be offered immunotherapy treatment which help your immune system to recognise and remove the cancerous cells.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Radiotherapy is not usually used for kidney cancer but may be offered if your cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
Chemotherapy is rarely used for kidney cancer.
Can kidney cancer be cured?
If your cancer is small and only in the kidney, treatment is usually very successful. 95 out of 100 otherwise healthy patients survive for at least five years after diagnosis.
If your kidney cancer is more advanced, or has spread to other parts of your body, treatment might not be as successful but can still help to slow down the progression of the cancer and help to manage any symptoms.
Where can I find more information about kidney cancer?
Kidney Cancer UK is the UK's leading kidney cancer patient support charity. Visit their website for more information about their Support Line, counselling and ‘Talk To A Nurse’ services, Facebook groups and online forums for kidney cancer patients and their families and local face-to-face support groups.
You can find more information on kidney cancer on the NHS website and Cancer Research UK’s section on kidney cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support also offer support for people with kidney cancer.
Publication date: 03/2026
Review date: 03/2029
This resource was produced according to PIF TICK standards. PIF TICK is the UK’s only assessed quality mark for print and online health and care information. Kidney Care UK is PIF TICK accredited.