What is Kidney Cancer

Benign Kidney Tumors

Benign kidney tumors are not cancerous. They will not spread outside the kidney. But they can get larger and cause problems, which is why they usually require treatment. The two most common types of benign kidney tumors are:  Angiomyolipoma (AML): The most common benign kidney tumor. Made up of fat, immature smooth muscle and blood vessel cells. Most often found in women with an inherited condition called tuberous sclerosis. Small AMLs may be monitored. Larger tumors usually are removed through surgery or interventional radiology procedures.

Oncocytoma: Benign tumors made of epithelial cells in the collecting ducts of the kidney. Do not spread but may grow to become cancer or cause other problems. Depending on the case, they may be monitored or removed through surgery or interventional radiology procedures.

Other Types of Kidney Cancer

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC): Rare and sometimes aggressive. Actually a bladder cancer that starts where the kidney connects to the ureter (tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). 

Renal sarcoma: Rare kidney cancer that starts in the soft connective tissue or blood vessels. May be caused by an inherited condition such as tuberous sclerosis or radiation exposure. 

Metastatic kidney cancer:  Kidney cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. When it spreads, kidney cancer usually goes to lymph nodes, bones, the liver, lungs or brain. Metastatic tumors are considered kidney cancer because they have the same cancer cells. 

What Caused My Cancer? 

This is a question people often ask when diagnosed with kidney cancer. Sometimes cancer is caused by your health history or genetics. Sometimes people get cancer for reasons medical science still has not identified.  

If known, the cause of your cancer can help us determine the most effective treatment.