Kidney cancer

Overview

Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in your kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located on each side of your lower back. The cause of kidney cancer is unknown, although it may be related to several risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and workplace exposure to chemicals. In adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Other types include transitional cell carcinoma, Wilms' tumor (typically found in children) and renal sarcoma.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Expertise and teamwork. Mayo Clinic doctors from several medical specialties work together to provide you with the best care possible, tailored to your needs. Your team may include specialists in urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, and other specialties as needed.
• Latest diagnostic and treatment options. At Mayo Clinic, specialists diagnose and treat a high volume of patients with kidney disease, including cancer. Mayo Clinic urologists specialize in removing the tumor and sparing the normal kidney (partial nephrectomy), minimally invasive surgical and nonsurgical procedures, and surgical management of advanced tumors, including those that have spread to other areas. Mayo doctors are also developing the next generation of minimally invasive and noninvasive treatments.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
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