What Does Stage 3 Kidney Cancer Mean?

Stage 3 kidney cancer means the cancer has grown beyond the kidney but has not spread to distant organs. It may have extended into major blood vessels, the fat surrounding the kidney, or nearby lymph nodes, but it is still considered regional, not metastatic.

There are two main ways kidney cancer qualifies as stage 3:

  • The tumor has grown into large veins near the kidney (such as the renal vein or the inferior vena cava) or into surrounding tissue, but not beyond Gerota’s fascia (the outer lining of the kidney).
  • Or, the cancer has spread to a nearby lymph node, even if the tumor is still confined to the kidney.

Symptoms may be more noticeable at this stage and can include:

  • Blood in the urine
  • Flank or back pain
  • A visible or felt lump in the side or abdomen
  • Fatigue or weight loss

Diagnosis typically involves a CT scan or MRI, which shows the tumor’s size, spread to nearby tissues, and lymph node involvement. A biopsy may also be used in some cases.

Treatment for stage 3 kidney cancer usually involves:

  • Radical nephrectomy, removing the entire kidney along with surrounding tissues and affected lymph nodes.
  • In some cases, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, especially if there’s concern about residual microscopic disease.

The five-year survival rate for stage 3 is lower than stages 1 or 2 but still promising, particularly if the cancer is completely removed and no distant spread is found. Ongoing follow-up imaging is essential to monitor for recurrence.

Stage 3 is a more advanced stage, but with aggressive treatment and close follow-up, many patients achieve good outcomes.

Looking for more questions?

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

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