How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?

Kidney cancer is usually diagnosed through imaging tests, often after a person develops symptoms or when a scan is done for another reason. Because early-stage kidney cancer may not cause obvious signs, it is sometimes found by chance during an ultrasound or CT scan performed for unrelated health issues.

When kidney cancer is suspected, doctors typically follow these steps to confirm the diagnosis:

Imaging Tests

  • Ultrasound may be the first test used to detect a mass in the kidney.
  • CT scan (computed tomography) is the most commonly used imaging method to evaluate kidney tumors. It provides detailed images of the kidney, surrounding tissues, and nearby blood vessels.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be used in certain situations, such as when the tumor is close to major blood vessels or if the patient has poor kidney function.

Urine and Blood Tests

These tests do not confirm cancer but can provide clues. For example, blood in the urine, anemia, or abnormal kidney function may support the suspicion of kidney disease or cancer.

Biopsy (in select cases)

A kidney biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the tumor using a thin needle, usually guided by imaging. Biopsies are not always required, especially when the imaging clearly shows a solid mass likely to be cancer. However, a biopsy may be done to confirm uncertain cases or rule out non-cancerous conditions.

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, additional tests—such as chest scans or bone scans—may be done to check whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Accurate diagnosis is essential for planning treatment. The stage and type of kidney cancer will determine the best treatment options, whether surgery, active surveillance, or medication.

Looking for more questions?

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

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