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How do you diagnose it?
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Patients who present to their doctor with symptoms of kidney cancer typically undergo a number of diagnostic tests before a definitive diagnosis of cancer can be made. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) is commonly one of the first tests used in determining if cancer is present in the kidneys. IVP is a specialized x-ray procedure, in which contrast dye is injected into a vein, enabling the physician to visualize the kidneys and other organs of the urinary tract, and to assess any abnormalities.
Ultrasound is another important diagnostic tool for determining whether kidney cancer is present. A non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of structural abnormalities, ultrasound is particularly useful for determining whether a mass is a solid tumor or simply a cyst (a hollow, fluid-filled growth). When a solid mass is detected by ultrasound, it is usually cancerous, while the majority of cysts are benign.
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Some patients may also undergo a CT scan (computed tomography) to determine whether the kidney cancer has metastasized, or spread to other sites within the abdomen. CT is a computer-enhanced x-ray procedure, which provides a high level of structural detail by recording cross-sectional images from many different angles.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another diagnostic test that may be ordered to determine if there has been any metastasis to lymph nodes or other organs. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field to create highly detailed images.
Once a definitive diagnosis of kidney cancer has been reached, your physician will need to "stage" your cancer - or determine how far the tumor has spread - to devise the best treatment plan. Staging is based on information gathered from the diagnostic tests described above, or any other tests that may have been ordered, including routine laboratory tests. Kidney cancer staging is based on the TNM classification system, which assesses the extent of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement, and any distant metastases. Classification ranges from Stage I (early-stage cancer) to Stage IV (metastatic cancer). A detailed discussion of the various stages of kidney cancer and the appropriate treatment options for each can be found at: www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/renalcell/patient/.
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