Can benign kidney tumors cause symptoms?
Kidney tumors (also called renal tumors) are growths in the kidneys that can be benign or cancerous. Most do not cause symptoms and are discovered unexpectedly when you are being diagnosed and treated for another condition.
Should a benign kidney tumor be removed?
Because benign kidney tumors do not require removal, a kidney specialist known as a urologist may order additional tests to help determine if a tumor is benign before treatment decisions are made. These tests may include imaging tests or a biopsy, in which a sample of the tumor is taken with a needle.
What are the symptoms of a tumor in your kidney?
Some possible signs and symptoms of kidney cancer include:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury)
- A mass (lump) on the side or lower back.
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss not caused by dieting.
- Fever that is not caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away.
How can you tell if a kidney tumor is benign or malignant?
Ultrasound. Ultrasound can help find a kidney mass and show if it is solid or filled with fluid (kidney tumors are more likely to be solid). Different ultrasound patterns can also help doctors tell the difference between some types of benign and malignant kidney tumors.
Are kidney masses usually cancerous?
Some kidney masses are benign (not cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous). One in four kidney masses are benign. Smaller masses are more likely to be benign. Larger masses are more likely to be cancerous.
Are kidney tumors always cancerous?
What percentage of kidney tumors are cancerous?
About 20-30% of “suspicious” kidney tumors when removed prove to be benign! These benign growths include cysts, oncocytomas, angiomyolipomas, and mixed epithelial stromal tumors. Thus, 70-80% of these “small” kidney tumors are cancers and fortunately the majority are “well behaved” (low grade) cancers.
What would a mass on the kidney mean?
A kidney mass, or tumor, is an abnormal growth in the kidney. Some kidney masses are benign (not cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous). One in four kidney masses are benign. Smaller masses are more likely to be benign. Larger masses are more likely to be cancerous.
What are the symptoms of a kidney tumor?
As the tumor begins to grow, it may press against blood vessels, nerves, or other surrounding structures. Some of the most common kidney tumor symptoms include pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
What are the stages of kidney cancer?
The stages of kidney cancer are: Stage I (stage 1 kidney cancer): The kidney cancer tumor is small (7 cm or less across) and limited to the kidney. Stage II (stage 2 kidney cancer): The tumor has grown larger but still remains within the kidney. There is no evidence of spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
Is a benign tumor considered cancer?
Tumors are of two types, benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not considered cancer. It is slow growing, does not spread or invade surrounding tissue, and once it is removed, doesn’t usually recur. A malignant tumor, on the other hand, is cancer.
What is the survival rate for renal cancer?
However, if renal cell carcinoma is diagnosed in the early stages, the prognosis is usually positive. Patients diagnosed before the cancer has spread beyond the kidney, have a 5-year survival rate of between 65% and 90%.
