Screening for Kidney Cancer

Routine screening for kidney cancer is not typically recommended for the general population. However, if you have a family history of the disease or a genetic condition that increases your risk — such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC), or Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome — your urologist may recommend periodic monitoring using screening tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs. If your doctor suspects you have an increased risk of kidney cancer due to a genetic factor, we offer genetic counseling and testing through our risk-assessment program. 

Diagnosing and Staging Kidney Cancer

At Englewood Health, our urologists use cutting-edge tools and techniques to accurately diagnose kidney cancer. To begin, your urologist may perform the following tests:

• Physical exam: Your urologist will feel for any noticeable lumps in your abdomen.
• Urinalysis: We test a sample of your urine, looking for blood or chemicals that may indicate cancer.
• Blood test: Analyzing your blood helps us test your kidney function and can detect anemia or other imbalances.

If these initial tests suggest a possibility of kidney cancer, your urologist will recommend further imaging studies and possibly a biopsy. To confirm your diagnosis, you may undergo one or more of the following procedures:

• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of your kidneys.
• CT scan: A series of digital X-ray images are combined to create precise pictures of soft tissues throughout your body.
• MRI scan: Using strong magnetic fields and radio waves, MRIs produce detailed three-dimensional (3D) images of your kidneys.
• Interventional radiology biopsy: If imaging tests detect a tumor, your doctor may recommend a biopsy — taking a small sample of kidney tissue through a needle to see if it contains cancer cells. 

Your doctor will also recommend tests to determine whether cancer has spread to other tissues outside the kidney. This process, called staging, is necessary to determine the extent of your cancer and match you with the most effective therapies.