Kidney Clinic

Types of kidney cancer and the importance of early diagnosis

Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK, with around 13,900 people diagnosed each year (Cancer Research). The most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which makes up about 8 in 10 cases. There are different forms of RCC, including clear cell, papillary, sarcomatoid, and transitional cell carcinoma.

Kidney cancer symptoms

Kidney cancer often develops without early warning signs, but symptoms to look out for include:

Blood in urine (hematuria): even small amounts can be a sign
Lump in the abdomen: sometimes felt during a physical exam or imaging
Persistent back or flank pain
Unexplained weight loss and fatigue
Low blood count (anaemia)
Fever or night sweats
High blood pressure

Early diagnosis is key. With timely investigations and access to advanced treatments, many patients achieve excellent outcomes. At East Midlands Urology, we provide rapid access to diagnosis and expert care tailored to your condition.

Kidney cancer diagnosis at East Midlands Urology

We provide rapid access to advanced diagnostic tests to quickly identify or rule out kidney problems. These include:

Blood tests – to check kidney function and overall health
Ultrasound – to identify abnormalities in the kidneys
CT scans/CT urogram – detailed imaging to assess tumours
MRI – high-resolution imaging for clearer results
PET/CT scans – for detecting cancer spread
Biopsies – taking a small tissue sample for analysis
Cystoscopy – to examine the bladder and urinary tract

Kidney cancer treatment options

Surgery for kidney cancer

Surgery is often the primary treatment for kidney cancer. The type of surgery depends on the size, type, and stage of cancer:

Partial nephrectomy: only the part of the kidney with cancer is removed, preserving as much healthy kidney as possible
Radical nephrectomy: removal of the entire kidney, and sometimes the adrenal gland, surrounding fatty tissue, and nearby lymph nodes

Mr. Singh got [the cancer] out by keyhole and said it all came out. He even checked all my lymph nodes while he was in there.
Steve, kidney cancer patient

Drug treatments

Drug therapies are used to control cancer that cannot be treated with surgery alone.

Targeted therapy: tablets designed to block the growth of cancer cells, often used in advanced or metastatic cases
Immunotherapy: intravenous treatments that boost the body’s immune system to fight cancer, sometimes combined with targeted therapy

Radiotherapy for kidney cancer

Radiotherapy uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. It is most commonly used for palliative care when kidney cancer has spread, for example to the bones or brain, helping relieve symptoms such as pain or bleeding.

At East Midlands Urology, patients benefit from access to the latest radiotherapy techniques, including IMRT, VMAT, and stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT), which improve outcomes while minimising side effects.

Book a kidney cancer consultation in Derby or Nottingham

At East Midlands Urology, you’ll receive expert care from a dedicated specialist team. Whether you are using private medical insurance or self-funding, we ensure rapid access to diagnosis and treatment.

Contact

FAQs

Kidney cancer often shows few early signs, but common symptoms include blood in the urine (haematuria), persistent back or side pain, a palpable lump or mass near the kidney area, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

Diagnosis usually involves a combination of imaging scans (ultrasound, CT, MRI) to identify a kidney tumour and assess if it has spread. In some cases, a biopsy is performed to confirm the cancer type and guide treatment planning.

Treatment depends on the stage, type and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s health. Options include partial or complete removal of the kidney (nephrectomy), ablative therapies, active surveillance, targeted therapy/immunotherapy, and in selected cases, radiotherapy (especially SABR) for tumours not suited for surgery.