Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer involves the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the kidneys, a pair of organs that removes waste products from the bloodstream and excretes them as urine. About 90% of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas originating in the tubules that transport waste materials from the blood to the urine. Rarer kidney cancers include:
- Transitional cell carcinoma (originating from the lining of the renal pelvis where the urine goes before the body transports it to the ureter and urinary bladder).
- Wilms' tumor (a subtype primarily affecting children).
- Renal sarcoma (from blood vessels and connective tissues within the kidney).
When I met my doctor [at City of Hope], he immediately made me feel at ease. I didn’t feel like a victim; I felt like I was going to be victorious.
— Joelle Hood, kidney cancer survivor
According to the American Cancer Society, about 81,000 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed this year. Kidney cancer is more common in men than women and among African Americans and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Once you notice symptoms, or as part of a routine examination, your doctor may look for kidney cancer using a physical exam, blood test, urine lab test (urinalysis) or a biopsy.
Your kidney cancer is every bit as unique as you are, and that is why treatment at City of Hope focuses on you and your loved ones. Our physicians will personally consult with you about your disease, treatment options and desired outcomes.
Our patients have access to kidney cancer clinical trials, including new chemotherapy, targeted and hormone therapies, surgical techniques, radiation approaches, and prevention strategies.
At City of Hope, kidney cancer clinicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after your kidney cancer treatment.
Our Expertise
City of Hope is a nationally recognized leader in researching and treating urologic cancers.
For nearly two decades, U.S. News & World Report has named City of Hope National Medical Center one of the top cancer hospitals in America and as "high-performing" in urology.
Our Kidney Cancer Program Highlights:
- Our team’s ability to treat complex kidney cancers, including patients with advanced cancers and patients with other medical conditions
- Our leadership in urologic surgeries, including minimally invasive and robotic operations that reduce discomfort and recovery time
- Our surgeons’ experience in kidney-sparing cancer surgeries, preserving urinary function
- Genomic and molecular profiling to identify the best possible treatments
- A comprehensive portfolio of drugs that can fight cancer better with fewer side effects
- Ongoing research and clinical trials of promising new therapies, including immunity-based and stem cell therapies
- Follow-up and recovery program focused on restoring urinary function and improving quality of life
We bring together a broad array of expertise from multiple specialties and are unmatched in our rapid “bench-to-bedside” record of translating leading-edge research into real-world treatments. As a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, our doctors also help develop and improve evidence-based kidney cancer treatment guidelines for patients throughout the country.
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
