NCCN Quick Guide™ | Kidney Cancer

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1 of 2 NCCN QUICK GUIDEtm
Kidney Cancer, Version 1.2017
This NCCNQUICK GUIDEtm sheet summarizes key points from the compl
hese guidelines explain which tests and treatments are recommended
by experts in cancer. To view and download the guidelines, visit or, to order
printed copies, visit .
What is kidney cancer?
The kidneys are a pair of organs that filter blood to remove waste from the body through urine.
Kidney cancer causes tumors to grow inside and sometimes spread outside the kidney. RCC
(r enal c ell c arcinoma) is the most common type of kidney cancer.
What tests do I need before treatment?
Tests that look for
signs of disease
■ Family and medical history
■ Physical exam
■ CBC and blood chemistry tests
■ Urinalysis
First tests that find
and confirm kidney
cancer
■ CT scan of your belly area and possibly the pelvis
■ MRI scan of your belly area
■ X-ray of your chest
Further tests that
may be needed
■ CT scan of chest
■ MRI of your brain
■ Bone scan
■ Biopsy (possible, but often done during surgery)
How do doctors rate cancer growth for treatment planning?
Cancer
staging
■ Cancer staging is how doctors assess and rate the extent of the cancer. The
cancer stage is based on the growth of the primary tumor and its spread to
other sites in your body. It is used to plan which treatments are best for you.
Stage I ■ The tumor is 7 cm or smaller and is only in the kidney.
Stage II ■ The tumor is larger than 7 cm and is only in the kidney.
Stage III
■ The tumor has grown into a major vein or surrounding fat and cancer cells
might have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Or, the tumor is only in the
kidney and cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV
■ The tumor has grown beyond the fibrous tissue surrounding the kidney,
maybe into the adrenal gland, and cancer cells have spread to nearby
lymph nodes but not to tissues far away. Or, the tumor is of any size and
cancer cells have spread to tissues far away.
NCCN Guidelines
for Patients®
Page Number
Version 1.2017 NCCN
GUIDELINES
FOR PATIENTS®
NCCN QUICK GUIDE tm
Kidney Cancer