Renal Cell Carcinoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Renal Cell Carcinoma?
A urologist (a doctor who treats the kidneys and urinary tract) and an oncologist (a cancer doctor) usually care for people with renal cell carcinoma. Your cancer care team may include both, along with other specialists. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is renal cell carcinoma?
Renal cell carcinoma, also called renal cell cancer, is a cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney. Tubules are tiny tubes in the kidneys that filter and clean the blood. They also take out waste products and make urine. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.
Cancer that starts in the ureters or the renal pelvis is different from renal cell cancer.
Symptoms
There may be no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Signs and symptoms may appear as the tumor grows. These signs may be caused by renal cell cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of these signs:
- Blood in the urine.
- A lump in the abdomen, which is the belly.
- A pain in the side that does not go away.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
Causes and who gets it
Renal cell cancer is caused by certain changes to the way renal cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. Risk factors for renal cell cancer include:
- Smoking tobacco.
- Misusing certain pain medicines, including over-the-counter ones, for a long time.
- Having excess body weight.
- Having high blood pressure.
- Having a family history of renal cell cancer.
- Having certain genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cancer.
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will get renal cell cancer.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use tests that examine the abdomen and kidneys to diagnose it, such as:
- An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to make a picture of body tissues.
- A CT scan, which uses an x-ray machine linked to a computer to make detailed pictures inside the body.
- An MRI, which uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures inside the body.
- A biopsy, which means removing a small sample of tissue so a pathologist can check it for cancer under a microscope.
After the diagnosis, more tests find out if the cancer has spread, which is called staging.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your preferences. Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is often used to treat renal cell cancer. For stage I, the main treatment is surgery. Types of surgery include:
- Partial nephrectomy, which removes the cancer within the kidney and some of the tissue around it.
- Simple nephrectomy, which removes the kidney only.
- Radical nephrectomy, which removes the kidney, the adrenal gland, surrounding tissue, and usually nearby lymph nodes.
A person can live with part of one working kidney. If both kidneys are removed or not working, the person will need dialysis, which cleans the blood with a machine, or a kidney transplant.
Radiation therapy is also used to treat renal cell cancer. Immunotherapy helps a person's immune system fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. For stage IV renal cell cancer, first-line treatment, which is the first treatment tried, may include ipilimumab plus nivolumab or pembrolizumab plus axitinib. Treatment for renal cell cancer may cause side effects, so ask your care team what to expect.
When to see a doctor
Check with your doctor if you have blood in your urine, a lump in your belly, or a pain in your side that does not go away. Also check with your doctor about loss of appetite or weight loss for no known reason. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, severe belly pain, or bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can look into early signs such as blood in the urine, order first tests, and coordinate your care with specialists.
Common questions
Is renal cell carcinoma the most common kidney cancer?
Yes, renal cell cancer is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.
Does renal cell carcinoma cause symptoms early on?
Not always, because there may be no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Signs such as blood in the urine or a lump in the belly may appear as the tumor grows.
Does smoking raise the risk of renal cell carcinoma?
Yes, smoking tobacco is a risk factor for renal cell cancer. Smoking is a risk factor that can be changed.
How is renal cell carcinoma treated?
Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is often used to treat renal cell cancer. Radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are also used.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ) - Patient Version
- MedlinePlus - Kidney Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
