What Does Stage 1 Kidney Cancer Mean?

Stage 1 kidney cancer means the tumor is small and limited to the kidney, without any signs of spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or distant organs. This is the earliest and most treatable stage of kidney cancer.

To be classified as stage 1:

  • The tumor must be 7 cm (about 2.7 inches) or smaller in its largest dimension.
  • The cancer must be completely contained within the kidney.

At this stage, the tumor often causes no symptoms and is frequently discovered by accident during imaging tests done for unrelated reasons. If symptoms do occur, they may include blood in the urine or a mild ache in the side, but most stage 1 tumors are asymptomatic.

Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumor. This can be done through:

  • Partial nephrectomy (removal of the tumor and part of the kidney)
  • Radical nephrectomy (removal of the entire kidney)

The choice of surgery depends on the tumor’s size, location, and the health of the remaining kidney. In some cases, especially for older adults or those with other health issues, active surveillance (watchful waiting with regular scans) may be a reasonable option.

The outlook for stage 1 kidney cancer is excellent. The five-year survival rate is estimated to be over 90%, especially when the tumor is removed completely and there is no evidence of spread.

Early-stage kidney cancer often requires no further treatment beyond surgery, although regular follow-up with imaging is important to watch for any signs of recurrence.

Looking for more questions?

Visit our Kidney Cancer Questions page for all other topics explained in plain language.

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