Steven A. Sandler, M.D.
Board-Certified in
Hematology & Oncology

Telephone Numbers
Office: (847) 933-0875
Fax: (847) 933-0878
Answering Service: (773) 594-7340

Skokie Office
9669 Kenton, Suite 510
Skokie, IL 60076
Map and directions

Chicago Office
7447 W. Talcott Ave., Suite 318
Chicago, IL 60631
Map and directions

Call us at 847-933-0875 or send Dr. Sandler a message via the form below. Please note that this form is for non-emergencies only.

Kidney Cancer Information and Treatment (Renal Cardinoma)

About Kedney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. There are three main types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvis carcinoma, and Wilms’ tumor. Renal cell carcinoma forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. Renal pelvis carcinoma forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects. Wilms’ tumor is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.

Kidney cancer usually grows as a single mass or tumor within the kidney but a kidney can have more than one tumor. Sometimes tumors are found in both kidneys at the same time. Kidney tumors are often found on CT scans or ultrasounds being done for concerns other than kidney cancer. The cancer might be found only after it has become very large. Most of the time it is found before it has spread to other organs. This makes a good prognosis more likely because like most cancers, kidney cancer can be hard to treat after it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Blood in the urine
• Pain in the side that doesn’t go away
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Lump or mass in the side or abdomen
• Fatigue
  

Kidney Cancer Treatment

Kidney cancer treatment has improved remarkably over the past several years.  As early as five years ago, there was no meaningful effective treatment for this cancer once it had spread beyond the kidney.  We now have a variety of treatments. Different types of surgery are used to remove part of or the entire cancerous kidney depending on the extent of the cancer. If the adrenal glands and lymph nodes are affected, surgery is used to remove these as well. Surgery is usually followed by radiation or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer and prevent it from coming back.