Kidney cancer
Kidney Cancer: A Patient's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
Most kidney cancers are found incidentally on scans performed for other reasons. This guide explains how kidney tumours are assessed and the modern, kidney-sparing treatment options available.
Written and clinically reviewed by
Mr Haitham Teleb
Consultant Urological Surgeon · MBBCh, MRCS, MSc, FRCS (Urol)
- Reading time
- 8 min read
- Date published
- 1 November 2025
- Last reviewed
- 1 June 2026
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer describes a range of tumours that develop from the cells of the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type in adults.
Many kidney tumours grow slowly and cause no symptoms; a growing proportion are picked up incidentally on scans performed for unrelated reasons.
How it is diagnosed
Assessment usually includes cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) to characterise the tumour, staging scans of the chest, and blood tests to check kidney function.
A biopsy is not always necessary but may be recommended for smaller or indeterminate lesions.
Treatment options
Treatment is personalised to the size, location and features of the tumour, and to your overall health.
- Active surveillance for small, low-risk lesions
- Partial nephrectomy — removing the tumour while preserving the rest of the kidney
- Radical nephrectomy — removing the whole kidney where appropriate
- Ablation techniques for selected small tumours
- Systemic therapy for advanced disease, coordinated with oncology
Frequently asked questions
This article provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. For personalised guidance, please arrange a private consultation.
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FRCS (Urol)
Fellowship-trained consultant
5.0 patient rating
Verified private reviews
Seen within days
Same-week appointments
All major insurers
BUPA · AXA · Aviva · Vitality · WPA