Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms at first. It’s often discovered by imaging tests done for other reasons.
After it spreads, however, kidney cancer may cause one or more of these symptoms:
- Blood in urine
- A lump in the lower back or belly
- Pain in the side or back
Diagnosing Kidney Cancer
If your doctor suspects you may have kidney cancer, you may be scheduled for:
- Blood work to assess kidney function and risk
- Diagnostic imaging tests, such as cross-sectional CT scan, MRI or ultrasound
- Nuclear renal scan
- Renal biopsy, in which a tissue sample is later examined by a pathologist under a microscope
- Genetic testing
Not all patients need all of these diagnostic tests.
Treating Kidney Cancer
Surgery is the only way to cure kidney cancer, yet recent advances often allow surgeons to remove only the tumor. Patients left with more kidney function experience dramatically better overall health and well-being.
Our pioneering surgeons were among the first in the nation to perform a laparoscopic nephrectomy – kidney removal – in patients with kidney cancer. They also pioneered the hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, a standard in minimally invasive nephrectomy. Our surgical leaders have taught the technique to more than 1,000 surgeons across the world – sharing Hartford HealthCare innovations for the benefit of patients everywhere.
Most of our kidney cancer patients now undergo kidney-sparing surgery called partial nephrectomy. With this procedure, only the cancerous portion of the kidney and a margin of tissue around it are removed.
Our surgeons are among the world's most experienced in performing robotic partial nephrectomies, which allow even more complex and larger tumors to be removed using a minimally-invasive approach.
Hartford HealthCare’s kidney transplant program is one of the oldest in New England and offers a history of success as an option for some patients.