What is a Renal Mass? - Urology Care Foundation

The word renal means kidney. The words "tumor" and "mass" mean abnormal growths in the body. A renal mass, or tumor, is an abnormal growth in the kidney. Some renal masses are benign (not cancerous) and some are malignant (cancerous).

One in four renal masses are benign. Smaller masses are more likely to be benign. Larger masses are more likely to be cancerous. Some tumors can be slow to grow while some can be aggressive. Aggressive tumors form, grow and spread very quickly.

Most diagnosed kidney growths are small and localized masses. Localized means that the tumor has not spread out from where it first started. Around 40% of kidney cancers are localized renal masses. Masses may be solid or cystic (having fluid). Most cystic masses are benign.

What do we Know about Kidney Cancers?
Kidney and renal pelvis cancers are the 12th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Kidney cancer is 9th on the list of the 10 most common types of cancer. Almost all of the kidney cancers in the U.S. are renal cell carcinomas (RCC). These cancers form in the lining of the small tubes in the kidney.

Doctors are able to diagnose kidney cancer earlier because of better testing. Kidney cancer is more common in men than women. More men than women die from the disease. Kidney cancer is more common in African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Native people. You can get kidney cancer at any age. But, it is more common in older people (those greater than 75 years old).

There will be more than 73,000 new cases of kidney cancer in the U.S. in 2019. Of those cases, nearly 15,000 people will likely die from the disease. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed-the better the chances of survival. The five-year survival rate for all kidney cancers is about 74%. If the cancer spreads over the body, then this rate falls to about 12%. The five-year survival for localized kidney and renal pelvis cancer is 92.5%.

[god]

I just got information yesterday they seen a mass and want another ct scan. I was shocked because I'm healthy
. praying for a miracle.

[aliciajaninelacotera]

Thank you so much. Not only for your information but for your sympathy and empathy too. Your tone of voice alone is very calming, especially for someone (like me) who may be nervous. Your video was very helpful and deeply appreciated! Thank you so much again.

[ImperialistJoe]

I'm 31, never smoke, never drink, exercise regularly, eat right, and have no history of substance abuse or internal cancers anywhere in my family... yet I found out today that I have a solid mass anyway.
From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me.

[MercedesBenz]

Thank you for this video. They found a 2.6 CM x 1.8 CM enhancing hypodense mass on my left kidney when I went in for suspected appendicitis on my right side. They say it's complex. The doctor I was refered too told me that you usually see this is elderly people and that it might be 80% cancerous and that he was so sorry this had to happen to me as I am quite young. He didn't look at the CT scan just the CT scan report and told me that I had to have open surgery. I left his office shaking and scared to death and managed to keep it together till I paid my bill and reached my car. The doc in this video helped to calm me down and I wish he was my real doctor.

[samantaalfaro]

I have surgery next week because I have renal mass. Thank you for this. 🥺

[susanproctor]

I have been dealing with kidney issues for a year now. First it was stage 4 CKD which turned out to be false, my ureters had large kidney stones stuck that were causing the symptoms. The first surgery was to place stents to open the ureters in hopes that the stones would break loose...to no avail. The second surgery, stents were removed, 12 stones total from both kidneys were removed, stents replaced in hopes that the kidneys could now heal and all would be right in my world. A few days ago, my surgeon ordered a renal scan to see how the kidneys were functioning. I watched the scan images being taken and I knew it was not going to be good. The left kidney was very small, the right larger than normal. The report stated that the left kidney was at 17% function, the right at 83%. There is also note that both kidneys contained masses in the lower areas, undetermined as to what they are. More stone? Perhaps, hopefully. The left kidney has lost 13% function since the surgery 6 weeks ago, the right kidney has gained 24%. I am preparing myself for my next visit to discuss my options. At this point, I am prepared to tell my doctor to please remove the left kidney. I am tired. I want my life back. I know he will suggest dialysis, with no guarantee that it will help, and I do not want to go that route. Lets nip the problem in the bud right now and remove the bad kidney. This video helped me with more information that they know.

[ambientshane]

Hi and great info, I've just had an ultrasound and was told I have a 7cm cyst on my right side. That's quite a big deal to me. Being sent for CT scans next. Very anxious times for me.

[claudiarodriguez]

Praying my moms is not 😢cancer it’s so scary 😟

[sueabbott]

In 2017 had an MRI for my back. Showed I had 3 cysts on my kidneys. 1 on left 2 on right. For years would get kidney function tests BUN would by high. My doctor said I was dehydrated and to drink more water. Last visit she wanted me to see a nephrologist to have it checked. Tests show I am stage 3B kidney disease. Every MRI I had the past few years showed the masses. Asked about it said they were nothing. I had an ultrasound of the kidneys in August. 2 masses are simple the 3 mass is 1.1cm. She wants me to see a urologist to get checked out. Said I would have to be checked every year.
My husband recently passed away from kidney cancer that spread to his lungs and liver. Also had prostate cancer. Needless to say I am freaking out.

[yocomment]

What a wonderful video, is there one in spanish?

[marieyfamiliacarrasco]

I found out I have a kidney lesion in one of my kidneys, I am not working and my husband losses his job so I don’t have insurance to check and get the images for my kidneys

[PapiC-hq]

i went to the Doctor to be looked as i was having extreme back pain 'they did a ct scan and found i had a mass tumor on my left kidney which is 10 cm, they dont want to do biopsy, instead they want to take out the kidney out i am concerned about it as not knowing if it is cancer or not they told me COULD be 85% chance it is cancerous. does this sound normal.

that being said i have had lung cancer whch the did a biopsy on and operated and now this

[bobrenshaw]

I have a 10cm kidney cancer and need a kidney out. The hardest thing I am finding is fatigue. I can not do half the things I could do 3 weeks ago.

[PapiC-hq]

My comment di not appear


Lets try this again i went to the doctor with extreme back pain they decided to do a ct scan and found a tumor on my left kidney which is 10cm, i asked about a biopsy my doctor told me it make more sense to remove it since they are 85% sure it is cancerous does this sound normal

That being said i have had lung cancer before in 2009

[queensavage]

Mines didn’t they were to scared to do a biopsy here I am in much pain and they didn’t care for real. It’s been 2 months and they didn’t do nothing but do test now they got me on antibiotics to see if it’ll go away knowing it’s a renal mass. I cry every night the pain meds don’t do nothing much but make me feel high. I don’t wanna feel high I want the pain to go it’s been 2 months and 4-5 days they so scary

[jeccym]

Mmhh I had a sonography, they detected a cyst on my left kidney, they sent me to a urologist, then he sent me further to a ctscan, I'm worried 🤔🤔 but I trust everything will be alright

[protomanx]

I'm lost, a renal mass was found on my fiancee's ultrasound due to a UTI, I don't know, she's been through so much already, it's not fair, is there fairness in this? why does this happen when things are starting to look up for her, when she's going through therapy to solve issues with her past, when she's finally in a more stable life, when she's starting to dream about the future again. Why wasn't I the one with it? Why couldn't it have been me instead?

[marwin]

Thank You great information i need to know..They just found a mass on my kidney it is causing blood clots into surgery i go...

[garyschroer]

I was told 2 years I have a mass on the upper left renal pole, and I have decided that it can stay!

[abcf]

Having a robotic partial nephrectomy in 2 weeks for a Bosniak 4 cyst. Scared out of my wits. Just want to get it out and over with.