Comprehensive care for kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in both men and women, most often diagnosed in adults over age 60. At Endeavor Health, we offer expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for kidney cancer — from small, localized tumors to complex or advanced disease.

You benefit from the expertise of a multidisciplinary team skilled in advanced imaging, minimally invasive surgical techniques, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or are seeking a second opinion, we’re here to guide your care with compassion and clarity.

Understanding kidney cancer

Kidney cancer begins in the cells of the kidneys, which filter blood and remove waste from the body. The most common form is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which accounts for about 9 out of 10 kidney cancers.

Risk factors include:

  • Older age (60+)
  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Family history of kidney cancer
  • Exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., asbestos or cadmium)
Common symptoms of bladder cancer

Kidney cancer is sometimes found incidentally during imaging for another issue, but may also present with:

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Pain in the side or lower back
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Fever not linked to infection
  • A lump or mass near the lower ribs

Kidney cancer tests and screenings

There are no routine screening tests for kidney cancer in people without symptoms. If a tumor is suspected, your doctor may order:

These help assess kidney function and check for abnormal findings that may suggest cancer.

CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound are used to detect tumors and assess whether they’ve spread.

In some cases, a thin needle is used to collect a tissue sample for confirmation and staging. This is especially useful for small tumors or unclear imaging.

Advanced profiling may be used to match treatment to the tumor’s biology.

Kidney cancer treatment and therapies

Treatment options for kidney cancer vary based on the tumor’s type, size and stage — and may include one or more of the approaches below. This is not a complete list, and your care team will recommend the best plan for your specific diagnosis and needs.

We offer robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and image-guided surgeries, including partial and total nephrectomy (kidney removal), to eliminate tumors while preserving as much kidney function as possible.

In select cases, we use image-guided thermal ablation (e.g., cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation) to destroy tumors without removing the kidney.

We offer FDA-approved drugs that block specific proteins tumors need to grow, often used for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer.

Treatments that boost your immune system’s ability to fight cancer. May be used alone or with targeted therapies for more advanced disease.

For small, slow-growing tumors, we may recommend regular imaging and observation instead of immediate treatment, especially in older adults.

Why Endeavor Health?

Your treatment plan should reflect your life, your goals and your diagnosis — that’s why we build your care around you.

Our team includes board-certified urologic surgical oncologists with deep experience in treating kidney cancer through both open and minimally invasive procedures.

Your case is reviewed in a multidisciplinary conference — bringing together oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and genetic counselors to create your personalized treatment plan.

We offer the full range of kidney cancer surgeries and ablation techniques to reduce pain, preserve function and speed recovery.

Care team

Our kidney cancer team includes urologic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, pathologists, nurse navigators, genetic counselors and rehabilitation specialists. We also partner with experts at the John and Carol Walter Center for Urological Health when appropriate.

Find a doctor

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Kidney cancer FAQs

Often during imaging for an unrelated issue. When symptoms occur, blood in the urine or side pain are common signs.

A surgery to remove part or all of a kidney. We offer minimally invasive and nerve-sparing techniques to preserve function when possible.

Yes — especially when found early and treated with surgery. For more advanced cases, targeted therapy and immunotherapy may control the disease for long periods.

Immunotherapy helps your immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. It can be used in cases where surgery isn’t possible or if the cancer returns.

Yes. In some patients, active surveillance is appropriate, especially when tumors are small and slow-growing.

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Clinical trials & research

Endeavor Health offers clinical trials focused on kidney cancer — including studies on immunotherapy, conservative management and combination therapies. Our research partnerships help bring tomorrow’s treatments to patients today.

Learn more about clinical trials

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If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer or are looking for a second opinion, our specialists are here to help.

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Your care journey is our mission

The Endeavor Health Cancer Institute provides personalized, expert care for kidney cancer — using advanced technology, precision surgery and full-spectrum support to guide you at every step.

About the institute