Kidney cancer, also called “renal cancer”, is a condition where the cells in the kidneys grow out of control. So, forms a small mass also called a renal cortical tumor. This tumor could be malignant or benign. A malignant tumor is cancerous and may spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor is also cancerous but it does not spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor can grow but won’t spread.

The exact reasons behind most kidney cancers are not completely understood. Doctors believe kidney cancer starts when certain cells in the kidney change their DNA, like a set of instructions inside the cell(mutation). These changes signal the cells to grow and multiply quickly. As these abnormal cells gather, they create a lump called a tumor, which might go beyond the kidney. In some cases, these cells can break away and travel to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Once you are diagnosed with kidney cancer and know the stage of cancer, your doctor and you can plan your treatment. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a urologist, a radiation oncologist, or a surgeon for treatment. There are many types of kidney cancer treatment. However, in most cases, surgery is the first step. Sometimes, even if the surgery removes the entire tumor, your doctor may recommend additional treatments, to kill the remaining cancer cells, if any. Here below are a few types of treatment for kidney cancer.