Diagnosis

Request An Appointment

Phone: (310) 794-7700

Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer

Find a Doctor: Kidney Cancer | Contact Us

In the past, kidney cancer was diagnosed only after the tumors had become quite large and caused symptoms (flank pain, blood in the urine). Today, most kidney tumors are found incidentally during imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

While some small tumors are destined to stay small and not cause harm, others can have aggressive behavior and earlier detection improves outcome. Tumors that have grown large or spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body are more difficult to treat and present an increased risk for death.

Staging of Kidney Cancer

In addition to taking a complete medical history, performing a physical exam, and obtaining laboratory tests, your physician may order various imaging tests. These studies are to characterize the kidney tumor and evaluate if the cancer has spread outside of the kidney (metastasized).

• Chest X-ray. Evaluation of the chest for any lung involvement.
• Ultrasound Examination. Uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of your internal organs, such as your kidneys.
• Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. CT scans use computers for focused X-rays to create a detailed image. MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to generate cross-sectional pictures of your body.
• Bone Scan. Uses a very small amount of a radioactive substance with imaging to detect bone involvement.
• Sestamibi Spect/CT Scan. Nuclear medicine scan to detect less aggressive renal tumors. This is being offered on a research protocol to determine if this aids decision making.

• PET/CT Scan. Uses special dye containing radioactive tracers with a CT scan (only utilized in select cases).

Staging Factors of Kidney Cancer

The most important factor in predicting prognosis, as well as the treatment options, is the "stage" or extent of the cancer. Staging is the process of gathering information from physical examinations and diagnostic tests to determine the size and location of the tumor and how widespread a cancer is.

Important Staging Factors in Kidney Cancer are:

• Tumor size
• Spread to tissues surrounding the kidney (fat and vein)
• Spread to contiguous organs (organs next to the kidney)
• Spread to nearby lymph nodes (the lymphatic filtration system)
• Spread to other organs like lung, bone, liver (distant metastasis)

Common staging systems for Kidney Cancer:

• The TNM System >
• The AJCC System (Combining the various TNM Factors)
• The University of California Los Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) System >

Grades of Kidney Cancer

The Fuhrman Grading System is a system used to describe how aggressive kidney tumors appear under the microscope. The Fuhrman grading system ranks tumor cells on a scale of 1 through 4 with the higher grades having more aggressive behavior.

Our Kidney Cancer Mission is You

Patient Story >
Unfortunately, cancer runs in Barbara Pytlewski’s family. Years ago, she and her brother learned they have Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition associated with a high risk of developing colon cancer, as well as an increased likelihood of urinary tract, uterine and liver cancers.

Meet Our Doctors >
The Department of Urology at UCLA is one of the most progressive and comprehensive urology programs in the country. Our faculty members work side by side with research scientists for new cures and treatments for kidney cancer.

Make An Appointment >
Our goal is to provide you with fast, easy access to the physicians and services at UCLA. For assistance in determining which UCLA urologist(s) may have expertise to help you, please call the Urology Appointment phone number:
(310) 794-7700