A clear plan for a kidney mass
Kidney cancer and kidney mass care
Many kidney masses are found by chance on a scan for something else. That can be unsettling. Our urologists explain what the imaging shows, whether more testing is needed, and the options that protect as much kidney as possible.
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer, or renal cancer, starts in the cells of the kidney. It is often silent early and is frequently discovered on a CT or ultrasound done for another reason.
What symptoms can kidney cancer cause?
When symptoms happen, they can include blood in the urine, a persistent ache below the ribs, a lump in the side or back, fevers that come and go without infection, tiredness and swelling in the legs or ankles.
What raises the risk of kidney cancer?
Smoking, extra weight, long-term high blood pressure, a family history of kidney cancer and some inherited conditions raise the risk. Risk also increases with age, and men are affected more often than women.
How do our urologists evaluate a kidney mass?
Imaging with CT, ultrasound or MRI, along with blood and urine tests, shows the size and features of the mass and how well the kidneys work. A biopsy is sometimes used, but it is not always needed when imaging is clear.
How is kidney cancer treated?
Kidney cancer is most often treated with surgery. For small masses, robotic partial nephrectomy removes the tumor and saves the rest of the kidney; larger tumors may need the whole kidney removed. Ablation, which treats some small masses with heat or cold through a needle, and close monitoring are options in selected cases.
PET/CT can help with staging when cancer may have spread, and targeted therapy or immunotherapy are used for advanced disease.
What is recovery like after kidney surgery?
Robotic surgery uses small incisions, and most people have a short hospital stay. Plan on several weeks without heavy lifting, and follow-up imaging to keep watch on the kidney afterward.
Is there a video about kidney cancer?
Yes. This short video is from the official Advanced Urology channel.
Watch: Dr. Mally on Kidney Cancer What the video covers: Dr. Mally talks about kidney cancer.
Which of our urologists see patients for this?
These urologists list it on their Advanced Urology profiles and see patients in Snellville or Conyers.
- A. Dev Mally, MD · Snellville
- Moshe Shapiro, MD · Snellville
- Marc Greenstein, DO · Conyers
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners who help with it: Erin Favinger, FNP, Hunter Woodard, PA-C. They are not urologists.
Which articles go deeper on this?
Short answers from Advanced Urology on the questions we hear most.
What do people ask us about kidney cancer?
Is every kidney mass cancer?
No. Some masses are benign cysts or non-cancerous tumors. Imaging features guide what happens next.
Can part of the kidney be saved?
Often, yes. Partial nephrectomy is the preferred option for many small masses.
Do I need a biopsy of a kidney mass?
Not always. A biopsy is used when it will change the plan.
What is kidney ablation?
A treatment for some small masses that uses heat or freezing delivered through a needle to destroy the tumor.
Will my kidney function be checked?
Yes. Blood tests check kidney function before and after treatment, and follow-up imaging keeps watch on the kidney.
Who will I see for a kidney mass?
Our urologists who treat kidney cancer include Dr. A. Dev Mally and Dr. Moshe Shapiro in Snellville and Dr. Marc Greenstein in Conyers.
More from Advanced Urology: Kidney cancer · Robotic nephrectomy
Related care: Kidney stones · Bladder cancer · Blood in the urine · All care
Where we see you: Snellville office and surgery center · Conyers clinic · What to bring and insurance
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