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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Kidney cancer is cancer that originates in the kidneys. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They're located behind your abdominal organs, with one kidney on each side of your spine.
In adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Other less common types of kidney cancer can occur. Transitional cell carcinoma, which affects the ureters, can also begin in the kidneys. Children are more likely to develop a kind of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumor.
The incidence of kidney cancer seems to be increasing, though it isn't clear why. Many kidney cancers are detected during procedures for other diseases or conditions. Imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) are being used more often, which may lead to the discovery of more kidney cancers.
- Kidney cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/kidney.pdf. Accessed Jan. 6, 2010.
- Pili R, et al. Cancer of the kidney. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1613.
- What you need to know about kidney cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/kidney/allpages/print. Accessed Jan. 7, 2010.
- Distress management. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/distress.pdf. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Raman JD, et al. Management of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2007;4:432.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 24, 2010.
- Raman JD, et al. Renal ablative therapy: Radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2009;100:639.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 27, 2010.
- Touijer K, et al. The expanding role of partial nephrectomy: A critical analysis of indications, results and complications. European Urology. 2010;57:214.
