Renal cell carcinoma

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Kidney metastases, CT scan

Kidney tumor - CT scan

Renal cancer; Kidney cancer; Hypernephroma; Adenocarcinoma of renal cells; Cancer - kidney

• Blood in the urine
• Abnormal urine color (dark, rusty, or brown)
• Flank pain
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight
• Emaciated, thin, malnourished appearance
• Enlargement of one testicle
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen

• Vision abnormalities
• Paleness
• Excessive hair grown in females
• Constipation
• Cold intolerance

Palpation of the abdomen may show a mass or organ enlargement, particularly of the kidney or liver. There may be a testicular varicocele in men.

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Urine test may show red blood cells
• Serum calcium levels may be high
• SGPT and alkaline phosphatase may be high
• A urine cytology
• Liver function tests
• An ultrasound of the abdomen and kidney 
• Kidney x-ray  
• IVP
• Renal arteriography

The following tests may be performed to see if the cancer has spread:

• An abdominal CT scan  may show a liver mass.
• Abdominal MRI can determine if the cancer has spread to any surrounding blood vessels and whether it can be surgically removed.
• A chest x-ray may show mass in the chest.
• A bone scan may show involvement of the bones.

Review Date: 12/21/2005
Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.