Everything you need to know about kidney cancer — from symptoms and staging to treatment options and life after diagnosis — explained clearly by Dr. Aditya Sarin.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every case of kidney cancer is different. Please consult Dr Aditya Sarin or a qualified oncologist for evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to your condition.
93%
5-year survival, confined to kidney
90%
Are renal cell carcinoma
Rising
Incidence worldwide
Often
Found incidentally on a scan
Blood in the urine should always be evaluated, even if it happens just once. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Aditya Sarin today.
Section 01
What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer starts in the cells of the kidney, the paired organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine. Most people have two kidneys, and cancer can develop in one or both.
Renal cell carcinoma accounts for around 90% of kidney cancers in adults. It usually grows as a single tumour in one kidney, though it can occasionally appear in both. A large share of cases are now found incidentally, on a CT or ultrasound scan done for something else entirely, before the tumour has caused any symptoms.
Section 02
Types of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is not a single disease. Knowing the exact subtype matters for both prognosis and treatment choice. Dr. Aditya Sarin evaluates each case individually, including histological and molecular testing, to determine the precise diagnosis.
~70% of RCC
Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The most common subtype. Named for how the cells appear pale or clear under a microscope.
2nd Most Common
Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
Forms finger-like projections and generally behaves somewhat differently from clear cell disease.
Better Prognosis
Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma
A less common subtype that tends to grow more slowly and generally carries a better prognosis.
Bladder-Like Behavior
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Starts in the renal pelvis and behaves more like bladder cancer than typical kidney cancer.
Paediatric
Wilms Tumour
The most common kidney cancer in children and rare in adults, requiring a distinct paediatric treatment approach.
Section 03
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Early kidney cancer often causes no symptoms at all. Many cases are found on imaging performed for an unrelated reason, well before any warning signs appear.
Blood in the urine, which may come and go
A lump or mass in the side or abdomen
Persistent pain in the side or lower back
Unexplained fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Loss of appetite
Persistent fever not caused by an infection
Swelling in the ankles or legs
Note: Blood in the urine is the most common warning sign, but it doesn't always mean cancer. It's often caused by far more common conditions, such as an infection or a kidney stone. Still, it should always be evaluated rather than dismissed.
Section 04
Causes & Risk Factors
The exact cause of kidney cancer isn't fully understood, but several factors are known to raise risk.
Smoking
One of the strongest and most modifiable risk factors, with risk rising alongside how long and how heavily someone has smoked.
Obesity
Linked to a higher risk of kidney cancer, likely through its effect on hormone levels and chronic inflammation.
High Blood Pressure
Long-standing hypertension is an independent risk factor, separate from any medications used to treat it.
Family History & Genetic Syndromes
Von Hippel-Lindau disease and a family history of kidney cancer significantly raise risk.
Long-Term Dialysis
People on long-term dialysis for kidney failure have a higher risk, particularly in kidneys affected by acquired cystic disease.
Having one or more risk factors doesn't mean someone will develop kidney cancer, and many people diagnosed have no identifiable risk factor beyond age.
Section 05
Kidney Cancer Screening & Early Detection
There's no routine population-wide screening test for kidney cancer. Early detection depends mostly on promptly evaluating symptoms and, in a meaningful share of cases, on incidentally catching it on imaging done for something else.
Abdominal Imaging
CT, MRI, or ultrasound scans are how most kidney cancers are actually found, often while checking for an unrelated condition.
Urinalysis
A simple urine test can detect blood not visible to the naked eye, prompting further evaluation.
CT or MRI with Contrast
Detailed imaging to characterise a kidney mass and determine whether it's likely cancerous.
Biopsy
A tissue sample confirms the diagnosis and subtype, though for small, clearly suspicious masses, surgery sometimes proceeds without one.
Not every kidney mass found on a scan is cancer. Many are benign cysts. But any new or growing solid mass in the kidney warrants careful evaluation by a specialist.
Section 06
Staging of Kidney Cancer
Staging describes how far the cancer has spread and directly shapes the treatment approach. Kidney cancer is staged using the AJCC TNM system, based on tumour size, whether it has grown beyond the kidney, lymph node involvement, and distant spread. This staging guidance is current as of 2026.
Stage
What it means
Stage I
Tumour is 7 cm or smaller and confined to the kidney.
Stage II
Tumour is larger than 7 cm but still confined to the kidney.
Stage III
Cancer has grown into nearby major veins or surrounding tissue, or spread to a nearby lymph node.
Stage IV
Cancer has spread beyond the fatty layer around the kidney, to the adrenal gland, or to distant organs or lymph nodes.
For advanced disease, doctors also use risk classification systems, such as the IMDC criteria, alongside stage to guide treatment and estimate prognosis more precisely.
Survival statistics are population averages. They describe outcomes across large groups of patients and don't predict what will happen to any individual patient.
Kidney cancer survival outcomes in India
Measure
Value
Overall 5-year survival after nephrectomy (single-centre Indian cohort)
77%
5-year cancer-specific survival, patients diagnosed at age 40–49
75%
5-year cancer-specific survival, patients diagnosed at age 70+
80%
Source: A detailed study of survival among patients with renal cell carcinoma in India, Indian Journal of Cancer, and a North Indian tertiary centre study noting kidney cancer in India tends to present at a younger age and later stage compared with Western data, though age itself didn't have a major effect on outcomes once treated.
Section 08
Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer
Treatment depends on the stage, subtype, and the patient's overall health. Dr. Aditya Sarin develops a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan for every patient.
Partial Nephrectomy
Removal of just the tumour and a margin of healthy tissue, preserving as much kidney function as possible.
Radical Nephrectomy
Removal of the entire affected kidney, used for larger tumours or when partial removal isn't feasible.
Active Surveillance
Regular imaging to monitor small, slow-growing tumours in select patients, particularly older adults.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs that block the specific molecular pathways driving kidney cancer growth, a mainstay for advanced disease.
Immunotherapy
Checkpoint inhibitors used both after surgery for high-risk disease and for advanced or metastatic cases.
Ablation
Cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation destroy small tumours without conventional surgery, an option for select patients.
Section 09
Latest Advances in Kidney Cancer Treatment
Kidney cancer treatment has changed meaningfully in the past year, particularly for patients at higher risk of recurrence after surgery. As of 2026, the most notable development is the following.
1
FDA Approval · June 12, 2026 · Adjuvant Setting
A new adjuvant option after surgery
On June 12, 2026, the FDA approved belzutifan combined with pembrolizumab for adults with clear cell renal cell carcinoma at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy. The approval is based on the Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial of 1,841 patients, which found the combination reduced the risk of recurrence, metastasis, or death by 28% compared with pembrolizumab alone. Belzutifan works by blocking a pathway called HIF-2α, a key driver of clear cell kidney cancer biology.
Whether this combination applies to a given patient depends on tumour histology, surgical outcome, and individual recurrence risk, and should be discussed directly with an oncologist.
Section 10
Living with Kidney Cancer
A kidney cancer diagnosis, and the surgery it often involves, affects kidney function and daily life in ways that benefit from coordinated, ongoing support.
Kidney Function Monitoring
Regular blood and urine tests to track kidney function after surgery, particularly if a whole kidney has been removed.
Counselling & Support Groups
Professional emotional support and peer groups for patients and families navigating diagnosis and treatment.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Guidance
Personalised dietary advice to support kidney health and manage blood pressure.
Section 11
Why Early Detection Matters
So many of our kidney cancer patients had no idea anything was wrong. The tumour was found on a scan ordered for something completely unrelated. That's actually a good thing. It's often how we catch it early enough to cure.
— Dr. Aditya Sarin, Medical Oncologist
Localised kidney cancer has a 93% 5-year survival rate, compared with 18% for distant-stage disease.
Blood in the urine should always be evaluated, even if it happens just once.
Persistent, unexplained pain in the side or lower back deserves imaging, not just pain relief.
If you have high blood pressure or a smoking history, mention any new abdominal or back symptoms to your doctor.
A kidney mass found incidentally on a scan still needs proper evaluation. Don't assume it's nothing.
Section 12
Frequently Asked Questions about Kidney Cancer
What is the first sign of kidney cancer?
Blood in the urine is the most common warning sign, though many kidney cancers cause no symptoms at all and are found incidentally on imaging done for an unrelated reason.
Can kidney cancer be cured?
Localised kidney cancer has a 93% 5-year survival rate and is often curable with surgery alone. Outcomes are considerably lower for cancer that has spread to distant organs, though targeted therapy and immunotherapy have meaningfully improved options for advanced disease.
Does blood in the urine always mean kidney cancer?
No. Blood in the urine is far more commonly caused by infections or kidney stones than cancer. Still, it should always be evaluated by a doctor rather than dismissed.
What is the difference between a kidney cyst and kidney cancer?
Most kidney cysts are simple, fluid-filled, and benign. A solid mass, or a cyst with certain suspicious features on imaging, is more concerning and needs further evaluation to rule out cancer.
Do you lose kidney function if a kidney is removed for cancer?
The remaining kidney typically compensates for much of the lost function, and most people live normally with one kidney. Where possible, doctors prefer partial removal to preserve as much kidney tissue as they safely can.
Is kidney cancer hereditary?
Most cases aren't directly inherited, though conditions like Von Hippel-Lindau disease and a family history of kidney cancer do raise risk and may warrant genetic counselling.
What is the best treatment approach for Kidney Cancer in Delhi?
Effective kidney cancer treatment in Delhi starts with accurate staging and subtyping to determine whether surgery alone is enough or whether targeted therapy and immunotherapy should be added. Dr. Aditya Sarin, ESMO board-certified and trained in precision oncology, offers this kind of staging-driven, personalised approach for kidney cancer patients in Delhi.
Section 13 · Why Dr. Aditya Sarin
Why Trust Dr. Aditya Sarin for Kidney Cancer Care?
ESMO Board Certified · Harvard Trained · Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
Experienced Kidney Cancer Specialist
ESMO Board Certified oncologist with advanced training in precision oncology and cancer genomics from Harvard Medical School.
Advanced Treatment Options
Access to the latest targeted therapy, immunotherapy combinations, and personalised treatment protocols.
Comprehensive Support
Personalised treatment plans, kidney function monitoring, emotional counselling, and end-to-end support.
Affordable & Accessible Care
High-quality oncology care with insurance assistance, flexible appointment options, and both in-person and remote consultations.
Mon – Sat (Morning) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mon – Sat (Evening) 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Early Detection Saves Lives
Don't ignore blood in your urine, even just once. It's often the only warning sign kidney cancer gives. If you've noticed blood in your urine, persistent back pain, or simply want expert guidance on a kidney mass found incidentally, speak with Dr. Aditya Sarin — a trusted kidney cancer specialist in New Delhi.
