In 2026, an estimated 8,600 people in Canada will be diagnosed with kidney and renal pelvis cancer. In its early stages, kidney cancer may not cause signs and symptoms, and the tumour is usually found in an ultrasound or x-ray for another reason. Symptoms often appear as the tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs.
However, other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as kidney cancer. Pay attention to these changes in your body and see your doctor if you have the following symptoms.
Symptoms of kidney cancer can include:
1. Urinary and abdominal symptoms
Kidney cancer can sometimes cause changes in your urine, back or abdomen. Speak to your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- blood in your urine
- a pain in your lower back or side
- a lump in your abdomen
- a large swollen vein in the scrotum (called a varicocele)
2. Swelling and circulation-related symptoms
Kidney cancer can affect blood flow, blood pressure or red blood cell count. These changes can also be linked to other health problems, but it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have:
- swollen legs and ankles
- high blood pressure
- a low red blood cell count (called anemia)
3. Overall changes in your body
Some symptoms of kidney cancer can affect how your body feels in general. These changes can include:
- a fever
- fatigue
- night sweats
- losing weight
- losing your appetite
These changes don’t always mean you have kidney cancer, but it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Can I lower my risk of cancer?
Kidney cancer most often develops in people over 60 years old, and more men than women are diagnosed.
While some kidney cancer risks can’t be changed, there are some things you can do to lower your risk.
Smoking tobacco is the main risk for kidney cancer. It’s also a preventable risk. The longer and the more you smoke, the higher your risk will be. After quitting smoking, the risk of developing kidney cancer lowers with time.
Excess body weight increases the risk for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer. Maintaining a healthy body weight can lower your risk of developing kidney cancer.
Some other risks include high blood pressure, genetic conditions, end-stage kidney disease and dialysis, a family history of kidney cancer and alcohol consumption.
If you have a higher-than-average risk, talk to your doctor about monitoring your health and checking for kidney cancer. The tests that can help find kidney cancer early include an ultrasound, a CT scan and an MRI.
Sue's kidney cancer experience
As a nurse, Sue Maggs was very familiar with cancer. She looked after cancer patients, delivered chemotherapy treatments and regularly assisted with cancer-related surgeries. Early in her nursing career, her own father was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
In 2020, Sue woke up in pain in the middle of the night and suspected a bowel obstruction.
“I woke up at midnight and was feeling extremely unwell with waves of cramping, and we called the hospital immediately," says Sue.
A CT scan confirmed that Sue did have a bowel obstruction, but the scan also showed unexpected results: she had a kidney tumour.
"I was just stunned. I just couldn't process it,” Sue says. “Then I blurted out, 'My dad died of kidney cancer,' and that’s when it started to set in."
Two weeks later, Sue had her kidney removed. But this was not the end of her experience with cancer. After an abnormal mammogram result, an ultrasound revealed a mass in her breast.
The cancer later spread to her other breast and lymph nodes.
After a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and a second surgery to remove the lymph nodes where the cancer had spread, Sue is now cancer-free. Her background as a nurse led her to share her experience on CancerConnection.ca, where she connects with other people who have gone through something similar.
The 5-year net survival rate for both kidney cancer and renal pelvis cancer is 75%. This means that on average, people diagnosed with kidney cancer or renal pelvis cancer are 75% as likely to live at least 5 years.
Cancer research advancements are the reason for improved survival, treatments and support for people living with cancer. You can help change the future of kidney cancer. When you support the Canadian Cancer Society, you make research progress possible.