Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer,also called renal cancer,is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
It usually affects adults in their 60s or70s and is rare in people under 50.
It can often be cured if it's caught early. But a cure probably won't be possible if it's not diagnosed until after it has spread beyond the kidney.
There are several types of kidney cancer. These pages focus on the most common type renal cell carcinoma. The Cancer Research UK website has more information about other types of kidney cancer .
This page covers:
In many cases, there are no obvious symptoms at first and kidney cancer may only be picked up during tests carried out for another reason.
If symptoms do occur, they can include:
Some small, slow growing cancers may not need treatment at first.
A cure isn't usually possible if the cancer has spread, although treatment can sometimes help keep it under control. Some people become ill quickly, but others may live for several years and feel well despite their cancer.
Overall, around 7 in every 10 people live at least a year after diagnosis and around 5 in 10 live at least 10 years.
Cancer Research UKhas more information about survival statistics for kidney cancer .
Find out about kidney cancer, including what the symptoms are, how it's treated and what the outlook is.
Find out about the main symptoms of kidney cancer, including blood in your pee and pain in your lower back or side.
See your GP if you have symptoms of kidney cancer . They will do some simple checks and can refer you for further tests if necessary. Your GP may ask you about the symptoms you've been having, etc.
Find out about the main treatments for kidney cancer, including surgery, medication and radiotherapy.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer, your treatment and medical care will probably be the first thing on your mind. But there are other aspects of your life
Caring for someone who's ill can be very demanding due to the broad range of medical, personal and emotional needs they can have.