The kidneys are two organs in the body that help to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. The kidneys are also responsible for maintaining the body’s fluid balance and regulating blood pressure.
Kidney cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the United States. Each year, more than 37,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer in the United States. Kidney cancer is more common in men than in women. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma.
The symptoms of kidney cancer may include blood in the urine, pain in the back or side, a lump in the abdomen, and weight loss. The diagnosis of kidney cancer is often made after a person has symptoms that suggest the cancer is present.
Treatment for kidney cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Kidney cancer is often cured when it is diagnosed early and treated aggressively.