In this Article

• What are the kidneys?
• What is cancer?
• Who's at risk for kidney cancer?
• What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
• How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
• How is kidney cancer treated?
• Methods of treatment
• What are the side effects of treatment for kidney cancer?
• What happens after treatment for kidney cancer?
• What does the future hold in the field of kidney cancer?
• What resources are there for patients with kidney cancer?
• Kidney Cancer At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Kidney Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
• Kidney Cancer Glossary
• Kidney Cancer Index
• Find a local Oncologist in your town

National Cancer Institute information resources

You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.

Telephone

Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.

Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) TTY: 1-800-332-8615 (for deaf and hard of hearing callers)

Internet

http://cancer.gov
The NCI's Cancer.gov™ Web site provides information from numerous NCI sources. It offers current information on cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials. It also provides information about NCI's research programs and funding opportunities, cancer statistics, and the Institute itself.

Cancer.gov also provides live, online assistance through LiveHelp. Information specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time

Kidney Cancer At A Glance

• The cause of kidney cancer is not known, however, risk factors have been identified.
• Childhood kidney cancer is different from the adult kidney cancer.
• The most common symptom of kidney cancer is blood in the urine.
• The diagnosis of kidney cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and x-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy.
• Treatment of kidney cancer depends on the location and size of the tumor, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• Kidney cancer is treated with surgery, embolization, radiation therapy, biological therapy, or chemotherapy.

SOURCE: U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov

Kidney Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

The symptoms of kidney cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

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