Kidney Cancer Awareness Week: The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment Advances
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is one of the most common cancers in the UK. While early stages of the disease often show no symptoms, timely diagnosis can be life-saving. This Kidney Cancer Awareness Week, we highlight the signs to look out for, the importance of seeking medical advice, and the latest treatment breakthroughs, including minimally invasive surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, and partial nephrectomy.
Recognising the Symptoms: Early Diagnosis Saves Lives
Many kidney cancer cases, like that of Steve West, are diagnosed unexpectedly, often in A&E. Steve, an architect and kidney cancer survivor, first noticed something was wrong when he saw blood in his urine. Within hours, he was diagnosed with a malignant tumour.
“It was a massive shock, but the speed of the NHS was astonishing,” Steve recalls. His experience serves as an important reminder: if you notice any unusual symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
Key symptoms of kidney cancer include:
- Blood in the urine (even if it appears only once)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent lower back or side pain
- Fever and night sweats
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
Many cases are detected incidentally during scans for other conditions, which is why routine health checks are so important. If you have a family history of kidney cancer, speak to your GP about potential screening.
Advancements in Treatment: More Options, Better Outcomes
For years, surgery has been the primary treatment for kidney cancer, but recent advances mean less invasive options are now available, leading to faster recovery times and fewer complications.
Minimally Invasive Surgery & Partial Nephrectomy
When Steve West and his wife researched potential treatment options, they chose Mr Sadmeet Singh, a Consultant Urological Surgeon known for his expertise in robotic and keyhole surgery. Steve’s case was challenging, and there was uncertainty about whether keyhole surgery would be feasible. However, Mr Singh successfully removed the tumour using this minimally invasive technique.
“Mr Singh got it out by keyhole and said it all came out. He even checked my lymph nodes while he was in there,” Steve recalls.
For some patients, a partial nephrectomy—where only the cancerous part of the kidney is removed—may be an option. This procedure is particularly beneficial for smaller tumours, as it helps preserve kidney function while still effectively removing cancer.
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR): A Game-Changer
For patients who are unable to undergo surgery, a new approach called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is proving to be highly effective. Unlike traditional radiotherapy, which kidney cancer has historically been resistant to, SABR delivers precise, high doses of radiation to target tumours while minimising damage to surrounding tissues.
Several international guidelines, including those from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), now recognise SABR as a viable treatment for inoperable kidney cancer cases.
Dr Prantik Das explains: “Patients now have more choice. Advances in radiotherapy ensure that treatment is minimally invasive with limited side effects.”
Raising Awareness: Know the Signs, Take Action
Both Steve West and medical professionals stress the importance of early detection. Mr Singh warns that urinary symptoms should never be ignored, as they may indicate a serious underlying condition.
This Kidney Cancer Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to:
✅ Know the symptoms and seek medical advice if something feels wrong
✅ Understand the treatment options available today
✅ Share awareness to help others recognise the signs
With minimally invasive surgery, partial nephrectomy, and advanced radiotherapy techniques, kidney cancer patients have more hope than ever. Early diagnosis saves lives—let’s spread the word.
#KidneyCancerAwareness #EarlyDiagnosis #MinimallyInvasiveSurgery #SABRTreatment #PartialNephrectomy
Find out more about clinical trials and research and fundraising efforts here https://www.kcuk.org.uk/kcaw-2025/#:~:text=Kidney%20Cancer%20Awareness%20Week%3A%203rd%20%E2%80%93%207th%20February%202025&text=We%20are%20proud%20to%20lead,conversations%20that%20can%20save%20lives.
