
Get answers to your Kidney cancer questions.
Dr. Heather Mannuel’s Bio | Q&A Archive
Renal cancer; Kidney cancer; Hypernephroma; Adenocarcinoma of renal cells; Cancer - kidney
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
Sometimes both kidneys are involved. The cancer spreads easily, most often to the lungs and other organs. In about one-third of patients, the cancer has already spread (metastasized) at the time of diagnosis.
Pressing with the fingers (palpation) on the abdomen may show a mass or organ enlargement, particularly of the kidney or liver. Men may have a varicocele in the scrotum (a varicocele that is only on the right side is especially suspicious).
Tests include:
The following tests may be performed to see if the cancer has spread:
Barjorin D. Tumors of the kidney, bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 2007.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Kidney Cancer. V.1.2009. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2009.