Renal & Kidney Cancer
Access transformational renal and kidney cancer treatment today.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer (also known as renal cancer), Novant Health Cancer Institute is your partner for leading treatment programs, clinical trial opportunities and personalized support. Your care team will do everything they can to treat your renal cancer using kidney-sparing methods. Experienced and compassionate specialists and nurse navigators will assist you every step of the way.
What is kidney cancer?
Cancer of the kidneys (also called renal cancer) most commonly develops in the renal tubules, tiny vessels inside your kidneys that transport filtered fluids and nutrients back into your bloodstream. From there, the cancer may grow and either stay in your kidney or spread to nearby tissues and organs.
What causes kidney cancer?
Although age isn't necessarily a risk factor, you're more likely to develop kidney cancer as you get older. The majority of cases occur over the age of 65. Men (or those assigned male at birth) and African Americans are generally at a higher risk, but it's unclear what other factors could affect this risk.
Kidney cancer risk factors include:
- Family history of kidney cancer, especially if you have a brother or sister who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer
- Certain genetic mutations
- Rare inherited conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis complex, Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Von Hippel-Lindau disease)
- Workplace chemical exposures (such as trichloroethylene)
- Extensive dialysis treatment
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Radiation therapy (for women undergoing other genitourinary cancer treatment)
Kidney cancer symptoms
Kidney cancer isn't always obvious in its earliest stages. You may notice the following signs of kidney cancer:
- Pain and a lump or mass in your kidney area
- Blood conditions, including anemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells) and high levels of calcium (hypercalcemia)
- Blood in your urine
- Bone pain
- Fatigue or discomfort
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Unexplained weight loss
Kidney Cancer Treatments
Why Choose Novant Health?
Accredited by multiple national organizations, including the Commission on Cancer and the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), your Novant Health physician is committed to providing excellence in cancer care. You can feel confident that you will be supported throughout your cancer journey by a specialized team of experts focused on your specific needs. We work in state-of-the-art cancer care centers that are among the best in the country.
Your cancer journey is unique. That’s why our nationally recognized cancer teams work with you to develop a personalized care plan. At Novant Health, you’ll have access to the most current treatment options available only at leading cancer institutes. Your treatment may include clinical research trials or robotics, microsurgeries, new radiation technologies, or cellular and immune therapies. Together, we can treat your cancer, manage your symptoms, and provide you with support at all stages.
You're not alone on your cancer journey. At Novant Health, rest assured you’ll have all the resources you need to tackle your life-changing diagnosis. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach brings together experts with knowledge from different specialties to support you every step of the way. In addition to oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons, your team may include nurse navigators, nutritionists, integrative medicine specialists, genetic counselors, social workers, symptom management and palliative care specialists, and more.
Nationally Recognized Care
- National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
- Commission on Cancer (CoC)
- Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
- Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA-ACR)
- APEx Accreditation (ASTRO)
- Magnet Recognition-American Nursing Credentialing Center
- American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
- National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
- Southeast Clinical Oncology Research Consortium (SCOR)/National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program
- Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)
- National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC)
Your kidney cancer care team
Urologists
Urologists are surgeons that specialize in management of the urinary system and have a vital role in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of localized kidney cancer. They collaborate with other cancer specialists, performing kidney biopsies and helping manage delivery of cancer fighting drugs directly into the kidney. Our surgeons perform both open and minimally invasive procedures using the most up-to-date surgical techniques and advanced robotic surgery systems.
Radiation oncologists
Radiation oncologists are physicians that have specialized training in the safe and effective use of ionizing radiation therapy to treat many diverse types of cancers. Your radiation oncologist works closely with you and your urologist to determine the best treatment approach for your unique diagnosis.
Medical oncologists
Medical oncologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. They play a key role in the management of many patients with kidney cancer.
Radiologists
Radiologists can locate and diagnose your cancer using imaging scans, including CTs, bone scans, MRIs and PET/CTs. Radiologists may also perform or assist with minimally invasive surgical procedures (interventional radiology) to help biopsy different areas of the body.
Support specialists
At Novant Health Cancer Institute, we take a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to your care and treatment. You may work with a variety of highly trained specialists including geneticists, nutritionists, pathologists, and pain and alternative care experts.
You’re Entitled to a Second Opinion.
Are you concerned or confused about a cancer diagnosis or treatment recommendation you've received?
Another perspective on your case and options can give you some peace of mind. Reach out for a virtual session or in-person consultation.
Experience the Future of Cancer Care, Today.
Together, we can beat cancer. Clinical research studies drive breakthroughs in the prevention, detection and treatment of many cancer conditions.
If eligible to join a clinical trial, you could access new cancer treatments before they’re available to the general public. Explore clinical trials and speak with your cancer team to see if any are right for you.
Search for Clinical Trials at Novant Health