Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both kidneys. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which begins in the lining of the small tubes in the kidney that filter blood and produce urine.
Kidney tumors vary widely in size and behavior. Small kidney masses are often slow-growing and may not cause symptoms, while larger kidney masses are more likely to be aggressive or to spread beyond the kidney. Your doctor will perform tests to determine the size of the tumor and whether the cancer is confined to the kidney or has spread to other parts of the body. Together, you and your care team will decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Most people with kidney cancer are treated with surgery to remove the tumor and, when possible, preserve kidney function. Treatment options depend on tumor size, location, and whether the cancer has spread.
- For very small kidney tumors, active surveillance may be an option. This involves regular imaging and follow-up, with treatment only if the tumor grows or changes.
- Small kidney masses are often treated by partial nephrectomy (surgical removal of the tumor) but may also be treated with heat or cold (ablation) to destroy cancer cells while preserving the kidney.
- Larger kidney tumors often require surgery to remove part or all of the kidney.
- Kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body may be treated with radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments, sometimes in addition to surgery.
Many people retain normal kidney function after treatment for early kidney cancer. If kidney function is severely reduced, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be required.
Our Approach
The kidney cancer specialists in our Urologic Oncology Program follow a team approach to care. Our multidisciplinary team includes urologic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurse practitioners, and sexual and reproductive health experts, forming one of the most comprehensive kidney cancer programs in the region.
We are leaders in the use of kidney biopsy as a tissue-sparing tool to guide personalized treatment planning. Biopsy results help determine whether a kidney mass is likely to behave aggressively and whether active surveillance, ablation, or surgery is the best approach.
Surgical options range from open surgery to minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques, with a strong emphasis on preserving kidney function whenever possible.
Most kidney tumors are discovered incidentally during imaging studies such as CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound performed for unrelated reasons. Known risk factors for kidney cancer include cigarette smoking and certain inherited conditions.
Appointment Information
The Urologic Oncology Program offers diagnosis and treatment for those with kidney cancer.
If you have been diagnosed, or suspect you have kidney cancer, patients, please call 734-647-8902.
Healthcare professionals, please contact our M-LINE service: 800-962-3555.
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. As the tumor grows, symptoms may include:
- Blood in the urine (visible or microscopic)
- Pain in the side or back
- Unexplained weight loss
Kidney cancer that has spread toother parts of the body may cause symptoms related to the affected organs, such as cough or shortness of breath if the lungs are involved, or bone pain if the bones are affected.
How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
Evaluation begins with a physical examination and review of symptoms. Tests used to diagnose kidney cancer may include:
- Urine testing
- Blood tests, including kidney function tests
- Imaging studies such as CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI
Many early kidney cancers are detected incidentally during imaging for other conditions.
In selected cases, a kidney biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and help guide treatment decisions.
Treatment Options
For selected patients with small, low-risk kidney masses, active surveillance may be appropriate. These tumors are monitored closely with imaging and may never require treatment.
The goal of surgery is to cure while preserving as much normal kidney tissue as possible.
- Partial nephrectomy: Removes only the tumor and a small margin of tissue
- Radical nephrectomy: Removes the entire kidney when necessary, typically for larger or more complex tumors
For select patients, non-surgical approaches may be used to treat the tumor
- Ablation: Uses heat or freezing to destroy small tumors while sparing the kidney
- Radiation: Uses external radiation to target the tumor while sparing the kidney
When surgery alone is not sufficient or the cancer has spread, systemic treatments may be used, including:
- Targeted Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy (in select cases)
- Participation in clinical trials
Questions about cancer?
Contact our Cancer AnswerLine™ at 800-865-1125. You'll talk to a nurse with years of experience in cancer care.
Locations
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Urologic Oncology Clinic | Rogel Cancer Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor B1 Reception E
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5913Get Directions -
Urologic Oncology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
Floor 2
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201Get Directions
Doctors
Tudor Borza, MD
Assistant Professor
Urology
Robert Timothy Dess, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Radiation Oncology
Khaled Samir Hafez, MB, BCh
Clinical Professor
Urology
William Carl Jackson, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Radiation Oncology
Samuel Donovan Kaffenberger, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Urology
Todd Matthew Morgan, MD
Professor
Urology
Ganesh Subramanyam Palapattu, MD
Professor
Urology
Zachery Roger Reichert, MD, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor
Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine
Simpa Samuel Salami, MBBS, MPH
Associate Professor
Urology
Alice Marie Semerjian, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Urology
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