Kidney tumors (also called renal tumors) are growths in the kidneys that can be benign or cancerous. Most do not cause symptoms and are discovered unexpectedly when you are being diagnosed and treated for another condition.
A non-cancerous (benign) tumour of the kidney is a growth that does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Non-cancerous tumours are not usually life-threatening. They are typically removed with surgery and do not usually come back (recur).
Some kidney masses are benign (not cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous). One in four kidney masses are benign. Smaller masses are more likely to be benign. Larger masses are more likely to be cancerous.
Although kidney cancer invasion does not cause pain, people might feel some pressure or pain in their back if there's a blood clot blocking the urine from draining well from the kidney. This pain can be similar to when kidney stones block urine drainage from the kidney.
Most people do not feel any pain or other symptoms from a small tumor in the kidney, even when the tumor is cancerous. Most of the time, these tumors are discovered when people have medical imaging such as a computed tomography scan or ultrasound performed for an unrelated reason.
The average growth rate in most studies has been observed at 0.3 cm/year.
MRI is very good at zeroing in on some kinds of cancers. By looking at your body with MRI, doctors may be able to see if a tumor is benign or cancerous.
About 20-30% of "suspicious" kidney tumors when removed prove to be benign! These benign growths include cysts, oncocytomas, angiomyolipomas, and mixed epithelial stromal tumors.
The earlier the cancer is diagnosed-the better the chances of survival. The five-year survival rate for all kidney cancers is about 74%. If the cancer spreads over the body, then this rate falls to about 12%. The five-year survival for localized kidney and renal pelvis cancer is 92.5%.
Renal adenoma – Renal adenomas are the most common form of benign, solid kidney tumor, and are typically small, low-grade growths.
Stage I: The tumor is 7 cm or smaller and is only located in the kidney. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs (T1, N0, M0). Stage II: The tumor is larger than 7 cm and is only located in the kidney. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs (T2, N0, M0).
For most cancers, kidney cancer included, if the cancer has spread to other organs it is best treated with systemic medications and not surgery. For some kidney cancers, however, nephrectomy may improve symptoms, keep patients off medications and offer a better chance at cure.
How fast kidney cancer spreads is widely variable. Some studies suggest an average growth rates of 0.3 centimeters (cm) per year, but findings vary widely. The grade of the cancer, the person's age and other factors can play a role .
The exact causes of kidney cancer, like many other cancers, are not known. However, we do know that certain things can increase your chances of developing kidney cancer. Older age, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, long-term dialysis, and a family history of kidney cancer can all increase your risk.
Survival for all stages of kidney cancer
around 65 out of every 100 (around 65%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed. more than 50 out of every 100 (more than 50%) survive their cancer for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed.
Generally, research shows that: tumors less than 3–4 centimeters (cm) across are less likely to be malignant. up to 40% of 2-cm kidney masses are benign, with only 10% being high grade RCC. nearly 30% of masses that are 4 cm or larger are high grade cancer.
Blood tests, a biopsy, or imaging—like an X-ray—can determine if the tumor is benign or malignant.
Can you diagnose without a biopsy? The short answer is no. While imaging and blood draws can show suspicious areas or levels, removing tissue and studying it is the only way to diagnose cancer 100%.
Benign tumors can grow but do not spread. There is no way to tell from symptoms alone if a tumor is benign or malignant. Often an MRI scan can reveal the tumor type, but in many cases, a biopsy is required.
A renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a type of tumor in your kidney. Almost all are benign (noncancerous), but they can hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
Kidney cancer is most often treated with surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are occasionally used. People with kidney cancer that has spread, called metastatic cancer (see below), often receive multiple lines of therapies.