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Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the kidneys. This type of cancer is also called renal cell carcinoma. In the Netherlands, about 2600 people a year get this form of cancer. Kidney cancer most often develops in the collection tubes in the kidney. These are small tubes that filter the blood.

Of all kidney cancers, the clear cell type is the most common. 10% of clear cell kidney cancers involve a urothelial tumor, a tumor that originates in the inner wall of the kidney, ureter or bladder. This form is called renal pelvic cancer or ureter cancer. We treat this form of kidney cancer differently. You can read more about this treatment on the page about bladder cancer.

On this page you can read more about the symptoms, examinations and treatments for kidney cancer.

Controle Vanuit Bedieningsruimte

Department of Urology

Would you like more information about our specialists, news and trials in kidney cancer? Then visit the page of our Urology department.
To the department

Learn more about kidney cancer

Causes of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is twice as common in men than in women. People over the age of 45 are more likely to develop kidney cancer. Most patients are between 55 and 80 years old. Smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and hereditary predisposition increase the risk of kidney cancer.

Symptoms of kidney cancer

In the beginning, a tumor in the kidney almost never causes any complaints. Often the doctor discovers the tumor by accident during an ultrasound or a CT scan of the abdomen. If the tumor grows, you may experience symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain in the side or back, or a lump in the abdomen.

In addition to these complaints, you may suffer from:

  • prolonged fever
  • a feeling of listlessness
  • prolonged fatigue for no apparent reason
  • Night sweats
  • unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Oscar Brouwer met achtergrond hal

Centre of expertise for rare tumours

Our multidisciplinary treatment team specializes in kidney cancer. We participate in various European committees to create guidelines on the treatment of kidney cancer. We participate in (inter)national studies and also start our own studies. We train new urologists and participate in the training to become urologists.

Urologists who have already completed their training can specialize in urological oncology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. In this way, we share knowledge and stay informed of the latest developments.
Oscar Brouwer Urologist
AVL Center for Rare Tumors

Why choose the NKI?

Expertise

The NKI is a centre of expertise for kidney cancer and offers the highest quality of care.

Research and care

Research and care under one roof. You will always receive care according to the latest insights, with the possibility of new treatments. You will receive tailor-made advice from us.

Multidisciplinary team

A multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of a urologist, nurse specialist, oncologist, radiotherapist, pathologist, nuclear medicine physician, and (interventional) radiologist will give you tailor-made advice

Treatment options

We offer all possible treatment options.

Supportive care

A lot of attention is paid to supportive care, such as wound nurses, psychological counselling and a smoking cessation clinic within our Quality of Life Centre.

Examination and diagnosis

To diagnose kidney cancer, various tests are possible. Your doctor will discuss with you which diagnostic tests are needed:

Lichamelijk onderzoek Winan van Houdt

Physical examination
Bloedbuisjes

Blood tests
CT Scan handen

CT scan

X-ray
MRI scan

MRI scan
Biopsie verpleegkundigen

Tissue biopsy

Kidney cancer treatment

The treatment you receive depends on the type of tumor, the size of the tumor, and whether the disease is in one place. Your health and fitness also play a role.

There are two different types of kidney cancer:

  • Localized kidney cancer: in this case, the tumor is only in the kidney.
  • Metastatic kidney cancer: The tumor has grown to the blood vessels near the kidney, or to the lymph nodes or other organs.

We cover both forms, with appropriate options. At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we offer all possible treatments.

Treatment of localized kidney cancer

With kidney-sparing treatments, the kidney remains active. In this treatment, we only treat or remove the tumor, not the kidney itself. This treatment can be done via the Da Vinci surgical robot, via interventional radiology (ablation) or sometimes via radiotherapy.

MRI scan schermen

Active Surveillance for kidney cancer
Interventieradiologie

Ablation for kidney cancer

Treatment for metastatic kidney cancer

In metastatic kidney cancer, we do not want to cure, but to prolong life. Eligibility depends on your type of kidney cancer, previous treatments (such as immune or targeted therapy), your medical history, and your condition.

Targeted therapy

Immunotherapy for kidney cancer

Waiting

We want to inform you as well as possible about the waiting time per condition. We do this based on a prognosis of the current waiting list. The waiting time can vary from patient to patient for various reasons. Your attending physician will give you more information during your outpatient consultation.

  • 10 days

    First appointment

    Your first appointment will be planned within approximately 10 days.

  • 10 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    It will take approximately 10 days before you can start rapid diagnostics

  • 5 days

    Second opinion

    It will take approximately 5 days before you can come in for a second opinion

Read more about making an appointment and second opinion

Make an appointment

Second opinion or transfer

Disclaimer

This translation was generated automatically based on information in Dutch. It has not been reviewed by a medical specialist. The purpose of this translation is to make our information accessible to non-Dutch speakers. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for medical advice from your treating physician. The Netherlands Cancer Institute cannot guarantee the accuracy of this translation. For medical questions or advice, please consult your physician.

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