Kidney cancer is a condition in which cancer
cells begin to grow in the kidneys—two bean-shaped organs located behind the abdominal
organs, one on each side of the spine. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste and
excess fluids from the blood.
In adults, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. In children,
a different form known as Wilms’ tumor is more commonly diagnosed. While kidney cancer can
affect people of all ages, it is more frequently seen in adults.
The incidence of kidney cancer has been rising in recent years, partly due to the increased
use of advanced imaging techniques such as CT scans and ultrasounds, which often detect
tumors incidentally during tests for other conditions. As a result, kidney cancer is
frequently diagnosed at an early stage, when the tumor is small and confined to the kidney,
allowing for more effective treatment and better outcomes.