Diagnosis

• Blood in urine (hematuria)
• Low back pain on one side (not caused from injury)
• A mass or lump on the side or lower back Fatigue (tiredness)
• A mass or lump on the side or lower back Fatigue (tiredness)
• Weight loss not caused by dieting Fever that does not go away Swelling of ankles and legs (edemia)

• The doctor will want to take a complete medical history to check for risk factors and symptoms.
• A physical exam can provide information, or a mass might be felt.
• Blood tests check for anemia and kidney function level.
• Always take your medications with you. A Medication log form is available by clicking here.

CT Scan

CT Scan (Computed tomography)

CAT Scan

also referred to as CAT Scan, is an x-ray that produces detailed cross sectional images of the body. A CT scanner rotates while you lie on a table and takes many pictures. A computer combines these pictures into image slices of the part of body being studied. This allows for detailed images to be studied. The CT Scan is one of the most useful tests for finding and looking at tumors on your kidneys. It is also used to see if cancer has spread to other organs and tissues beyond the kidney. It provides information about the size, shape, and position of any tumors. It can be performed with or without contrast.

With Contrast

• You may be asked to drink a liquid called oral contrast .....this helps outline the intestines.
• You may be given an IV contrast .....this helps outline structures in the body.
• If you are a diabetic make sure you understand the doctors instructions on what medications are impacted.

CT contrast has the potential to damage the kidneys. This happens in patients whose kidneys are not working well. Due to this your kidney function will be checked with a blood test before IV contrast is given.

MRI

MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)

• MRI scans provide detailed images of soft tissues. They use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays. A computer translates the pattern into detailed images for studying.
• MRI’s take longer than CT scans and some people get upset if they are claustrophobic (fear of enclosed spaces). MRI machines make loud noises, they buzz and click as images are processed.
• MRI’s are used less than CT Scans when dealing with kidney cancer. MRI gives your doctor options if there allergy problems with the CT contrast exist, or if the need to determine if cancer has grown into major blood vessels, brain or spinal cord.

MRI Machine

Ultrasound

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Station

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of internal organs. This test uses a transducer (small, microphone-like instrument) that is placed on the skin near the kidney. It gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off the tissues in the kidney. These echoes are converted by computer into an image that is displayed on a computer screen. Ultrasound can aid in determining if a mass is solid or filled with fluid. The echo patterns produced by most kidney tumors look different from normal kidney tissue.

• T indicates the size of the main tumor and has it grown into nearby areas.
• N describes the extent of the spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• M indicates if the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other organs