Symptoms & Diagnosis
Early-stage kidney cancer doesn’t cause symptoms, but more advanced cancer can feel like or lead to:
- Back pain and swelling
- Blood in urine
- Fatigue
- Intermittent fever
- Weight loss
You may be at risk of kidney cancer if you’ve been exposed to toxins like asbestos or cadmium or if you’ve been treated for kidney failure with dialysis. Avoiding environmental pollution and living a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of kidney cancer.
You know what normal feels like for your body. If you think you have any kidney cancer symptoms, reach out to your doctor so we can learn more about what might be causing them. From urology to oncology, we collaborate to find a precise diagnosis for you. We run tests including:
- Blood tests. Blood tests can show how well your kidneys are working.
- Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan or MRI can build a picture of your kidney tumor.
- Biopsy. Biopsies are tests that take tissue samples from your kidney tumor for examination. We are one of the first South Bay hospitals to offer Artemis™ 3D Imaging and Navigation for precise imagery to perform more accurate biopsies.
- Urine tests. These tests reveal the presence of kidney cancer cells.
If these exams are abnormal, we refer you for a cancer consultation with an oncologist who has experience treating kidney cancer. This expert reviews your test results and medical history to learn more about your diagnosis and form a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We know learning you have kidney cancer can feel scary. That’s why we are committed to seeing you for a cancer consultation as quickly as possible — often within 48 hours — after your diagnosis so we can discuss treatment options, order additional tests and address any questions without delay.
Treatments
Treating kidney cancer requires kidney experts. Our team of urologists, nephrologists, radiologists and pathologists collaborates with surgical and radiation oncologists to create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs and your type and stage of kidney cancer. We are here to care for you through every part of your treatment.
Each week, the Cancer Care team convenes a tumor board that brings together experts from across disciplines to collaborate on customized care plans for you. This collaboration has one common goal — to make sure you get the best possible care.
If your tumor is small or slow-growing, we may recommend active monitoring, which does not interfere with the success of any future treatment that may be needed. We also offer the full range of evidence-based kidney cancer treatments to care for more advanced disease.
Surgery
Surgery is often the primary treatment for most kidney cancers. Our surgical oncologists are experts in minimally invasive techniques that remove only the portion of your kidney affected by cancer while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible (called a partial nephrectomy). If the cancer tumor is large, your surgeon may recommend a radical nephrectomy to remove your entire kidney.
Radiation
In addition to surgery or as a standalone treatment, your cancer care team may recommend radiation therapy to eliminate your head and neck cancer. Radiation oncologists at our Radiation Treatment Center have treated thousands of patients, and we use state-of-the-art radiation treatments, including stereotactic radiosurgery, adaptive radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and brachytherapy, treat kidney cancer with speed and precision while protecting healthy tissue.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Unlike many other cancers, chemotherapy is not a standard treatment for kidney cancer, but targeted drugs are proving to be an effective alternative to chemotherapy in treating kidney cancer. El Camino Health is at the forefront of hospitals using this treatment. We analyze your cancer to learn its protein and chemical makeup, then determine which drugs will have the maximum effect in fighting it. These drugs can be used to treat more advanced kidney cancer by blocking the growth of cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a treatment that empowers your immune system to fight cancer by helping your body find and attack cancer cells. Our experts are skilled in the use of checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy that can shrink or slow the growth of kidney tumors. This treatment may be used alone or alongside targeted drug therapy to treat advanced kidney cancer.
Clinical Trials
We’re always looking for ways to improve detection, ease treatment and find better cures for your kidney cancer. El Camino Health partners with other medical centers and the National Cancer Institute on kidney cancer clinical trials ranging from innovative immunotherapy to new radiation approaches to chemotherapy modifications.
If you’re interested in participating in this leading-edge research, talk to your care team to find a study that’s right for you.
Cancer Awards & Accreditations
Our superior Cancer Care has earned us a three-year accreditation as a comprehensive community cancer program from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Accreditation ensures that the care you receive right here in your community is high-quality and uses evidence-based, national treatment guidelines.
We’re also an ACS Surgical Quality Partner and committed to the highest surgery standards.
Patients rate us highly, too. Based on PressGaney patient satisfaction surveys, our “likeliness to recommend” score is over 90%, and we’ve won the top patient experience award multiple years in a row.
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Cancer Patient Stories
You are our inspiration. Hear how El Camino Health Cancer Care has helped other patients beat cancer — and how we can support you at every step of the way.
