Kidney cancer develops when cells inside the kidney begin to grow and divide abnormally, forming a tumor. In adults, the most common form is renal cell carcinoma; in young children, it more often takes the form of a Wilms tumor. Because imaging tests such as CT scans and ultrasounds are used more often today, doctors are diagnosing kidney cancer more frequently than in the past — and are catching many cases early, while the tumor is still small and confined to the kidney.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Kidney cancer rarely announces itself in its earliest stages. Many people have no symptoms at all until the disease has had time to grow. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Blood in the urine, which may look pink, red, or cola-colored
• A lump or mass in the side, abdomen, or lower back
• Pain in the side or back that doesn’t go away
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing tiredness or fatigue
• Fever or night sweats not explained by an infection

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait — talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional. Early evaluation gives you the best chance at early, effective treatment.

What Causes Kidney Cancer?

Researchers haven’t identified a single, clear cause for most kidney cancers. What is understood is how the disease behaves: abnormal kidney cells multiply and form a mass, or tumor. Left unchecked, that tumor can grow into surrounding tissue, and over time cancer cells may break away and travel to other parts of the body — a process called metastasis.

Know Your Risk Factors

Certain factors are known to raise the likelihood of developing kidney cancer:

• Older age — risk rises steadily over the years
• Smoking — smokers face a higher risk than nonsmokers, though the risk declines after quitting
• Obesity
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Certain inherited conditions, including von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, and familial renal cancer syndromes
• A family history of kidney cancer
• Advanced kidney disease, particularly among people on long-term dialysis
• Workplace or military exposure to certain toxins, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), cadmium, asbestos, or herbicides
• Long-term or heavy use of over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines

Steps That May Lower Your Risk

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent kidney cancer, but a few everyday habits can help lower the odds:

• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation — generally no more than one drink a day for women and two for men
• Build meals around fruits and vegetables; getting vitamins and nutrients from food is generally better than relying on high-dose supplements, which can sometimes do more harm than good
• Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. If you’re new to exercise, check in with your healthcare team first about any limitations, and build up gradually
• Work toward and maintain a healthy weight
• If you smoke, ask your healthcare team about resources and aids that can help you quit
• Keep blood pressure in a healthy range through regular checkups, lifestyle changes, and medication if your care team recommends it

Treatment Options

The right treatment plan depends on the cancer’s stage and type, along with a person’s overall health. Depending on those factors, care may include:

• Surgery
• Ablation therapies
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Active surveillance (monitoring)
• Radiation therapy

Survival Rates: Why Early Detection Matters

Outcomes for kidney cancer are strongly tied to how early it’s caught, which is exactly why awareness and screening matter so much. Five-year relative survival rates* are generally grouped by how far the cancer has spread at diagnosis:

Localized: the cancer is confined entirely to the kidney. Five-year relative survival is about 93%.

Regional: the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissue outside the kidney. Five-year relative survival is about 75%.

Distant: the cancer has metastasized to distant sites such as the lungs, liver, or bones. Five-year relative survival is about 15–20%.

*Relative survival compares outcomes for people with kidney cancer to those of similar age and sex in the general population; it is a population-level statistic, not a prediction for any one person.

Military Service and Kidney Cancer

Veterans face a disproportionate burden of kidney cancer. It ranks as the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among veterans, compared with seventh among civilians. Certain exposures during military service have been linked to roughly double the risk of dying from kidney cancer, and illness can surface years — even decades — after service has ended.

The 9/11 Connection

First responders who worked at Ground Zero also face heightened kidney cancer risk. The dense dust cloud released when the World Trade Center collapsed contained cadmium and other toxic substances known to damage the kidneys. Today, kidney cancer ranks as the ninth most common cancer among 9/11 responders and survivors, and tends to appear as a more aggressive disease and at a younger age than in the general population.

9/11 First Responders and Kidney Disease – A Mount Sinai research team examined urine samples from 183 Ground Zero first responders, testing for albumin — a protein that leaks into urine when the kidneys are damaged. Responders with the heaviest dust cloud exposure showed elevated albumin levels, a sign of kidney injury. Researchers believe the intense exposure triggered severe inflammation in the lining of blood vessels, contributing to kidney malfunction and lasting damage.

This information is provided for general education and does not replace medical advice. If you have concerns about your kidney health or risk factors, please speak with a qualified healthcare provider.