Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, occurs when abnormal cell growth in the kidneys causes a lump or tumor to form. Kidney cancer can be treated with a combination of immunotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Renal cancer specialists in the Denver area
When it comes to kidney cancer, a quicker diagnosis means more effective care.
At HCA HealthONE, our specialists are trained to accurately detect and treat your kidney cancer. We offer many options, such as radiation therapy and radical nephrectomy. We offer advanced paths to healing and a better outcome overall.
Have cancer questions?
We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.
We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Symptoms of kidney cancer
Our renal cancer specialists recognize the warning signs and symptoms and use advanced diagnostic tools to ensure early detection and treatment of kidney cancer. This is important because early-stage kidney cancer may not present many symptoms. However, later-stage kidney cancers may present the following symptoms:
- A mass or lump in the side of the body or lower back
- Anemia
- Blood in the urine
- Fatigue
- Intermittent fever (not due to illness)
- Lower back pain
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Unrelieved pain in the low back or on one side
Our kidney cancer treatments and services
Our renal cancer treatments include the latest advances in medicine and technology, helping you reach the best outcome possible.
Renal cancer care team
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to ensure you receive high-quality cancer care and nephrology care (specialty focusing on kidney health). By bringing multiple specialists together, our team can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment plan possible.
Your care team includes:
- General surgeons
- Hepatologists (doctors specializing in liver care)
- Interventional radiologists
- Medical and radiation oncologists
- Nephrologists
Diagnosing kidney cancer
We use several different methods to reach a kidney cancer diagnosis, including diagnostic imaging tests and minimally invasive exams.
These can include:
- Blood tests
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Laparoscopy
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Renal angiogram
- Ultrasound
Renal biopsy
A renal biopsy is a medical procedure used to extract pieces of kidney tissue for laboratory analysis. The analysis provides your doctor with information needed to diagnose, monitor and treat conditions of the kidney. There are two ways to perform a renal biopsy, including:
- Percutaneous biopsy (renal needle)
- Open biopsy
Renograms
A renogram is an exam that uses a radioactive substance to examine your kidneys and their function. We offer two types of renograms, each using a different tracing agent. These include:
- Captopril renal scan
- Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan
Renal cancer treatment
Our doctors use advanced treatments, including minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgical procedures. They use these approaches to treat complex tumors and provide the best possible outcomes for you.
These include:
- Chemotherapy
- Drug therapies
- Chemoembolization
- Radioembolization
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Gastroenterology treatments
- Hepatology treatments
- Interventional radiology
- Radiation therapy
Radical nephrectomy (kidney removal)
If a cancerous tumor is found in the kidney, it may be necessary to perform surgery. Our surgeons specialize in using robot-assisted partial nephrectomies (removal of cancerous tissue only) and radical nephrectomies (complete kidney removal).
We offer a robot-assisted radical nephrectomy. It is a more advanced surgical procedure. Using robotic technology, our surgeons make smaller, more precise incisions in the surgical area. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities the day after surgery.
About Sarah Cannon Center
As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.
askSARAH helpline
Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.
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