What Is Kidney Cancer?
A plain-language overview of kidney cancer, where it starts, its main types, and how it is found, based on National Cancer Institute resources.
Source: National Cancer Institute · Verified 2026-07-02
The 30-second version
Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children. The main types are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor. Renal cell cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney. Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk.
Key takeaways
- Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children.
- The main types of kidney cancer are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor.
- Renal cell cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney.
- Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk of renal cell cancer.
- Certain inherited conditions increase the risk of kidney cancer.
- Signs of renal cell cancer include blood in the urine and a lump in the abdomen.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children. It starts in a kidney, when cells there grow without control.
The kidneys are a pair of organs, one on each side of the backbone, above the waist. They filter and clean the blood, remove waste products, and make urine. Inside each kidney are tiny tubes called tubules that do this filtering work.
In short: kidney cancer starts in a kidney, and it can affect both adults and children.
Types of kidney cancer
The main types of kidney cancer are:
- Renal cell cancer. This is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney. It is the most common type of kidney cancer.
- Transitional cell cancer. This type begins in the cells that line the renal pelvis and the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
- Wilms tumor. This is a kidney cancer that occurs in children.
In short: the main types of kidney cancer are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor.
Risk factors
Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk of renal cell cancer.
Certain inherited conditions also increase the risk of kidney cancer. Because some cases run in families, genetic counseling and testing may be considered for people with these inherited conditions. Your healthcare team can explain which risk factors may apply to you.
Signs and finding it
Signs of renal cell cancer include blood in the urine and a lump in the abdomen. These and other signs may be caused by renal cell cancer or by other conditions.
Tests that examine the abdomen and kidneys are used to diagnose renal cell cancer. There are different ways kidney cancer can be treated.
Everyone's situation is different. Your care team is the best source of information about your own health and any next steps.
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What Is Kidney Cancer: the quick overview
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Coming soonWhat Is Kidney Cancer, explained simply
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Coming soonUnderstanding what is kidney cancer — full lesson
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Suggested animation storyboard▾
- 1Open on a calm title card: "What Is Kidney Cancer?" with the Cancer Explained mark.
- 2Narrator reads the 30-second summary while a soft animated diagram builds on screen: "Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children. The main types are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor. Renal cell cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney. Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk."
- 3Scene 2: illustrate the idea — "Kidney cancer can develop in adults and children."
- 4Scene 3: illustrate the idea — "The main types of kidney cancer are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor."
- 5Scene 4: illustrate the idea — "Renal cell cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney."
- 6Close on a reminder card: this is educational only; talk with your healthcare team, and a link to the NCI source.
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Quick knowledge check
According to this article, what are the main types of kidney cancer?
Frequently asked questions
▸Where does kidney cancer start?
Kidney cancer starts in a kidney. The kidneys filter and clean the blood and make urine. The most common type, renal cell cancer, is a type of cancer that forms in the tubules of the kidney, the tiny tubes that filter the blood and make urine.
▸What are the main types of kidney cancer?
The main types of kidney cancer are renal cell cancer, transitional cell cancer, and Wilms tumor. Wilms tumor is a childhood kidney cancer. Kidney cancer can develop in both adults and children.
▸What can affect the risk of kidney cancer?
Smoking and misuse of certain pain medicines can affect the risk of renal cell cancer. In addition, certain inherited conditions increase the risk of kidney cancer. Your healthcare team can explain risk factors that may apply to you.
▸What are signs of renal cell cancer?
Signs of renal cell cancer include blood in the urine and a lump in the abdomen. These and other signs may be caused by renal cell cancer or by other conditions, so check with your doctor.
▸How is kidney cancer found?
Tests that examine the abdomen and kidneys are used to diagnose renal cell cancer. Your healthcare team can explain which tests are right for you and what the results mean.
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Questions to ask your healthcare team
Consider bringing these questions to your next appointment.
- What type of kidney cancer do I have?
- What tests do I need to learn more about my kidney cancer?
- Could an inherited condition be involved in my case?
- What are my treatment options, and what are the possible side effects?
- How will treatment affect my daily life?
- Where can I find reliable information and support?
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