{"id":6891,"date":"2023-01-30T19:03:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T19:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&#038;p=6891"},"modified":"2025-04-08T19:59:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T19:59:18","slug":"understanding-kidney-cancer","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/understanding-kidney-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding\nkidney cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.green { color: #1d8680; line-height: 2.5rem; }<br \/>\n.greenbg { background: #1d8680; padding: 2rem 10rem 3rem 10rem; }<br \/>\n.offwhite { background: #F7F7F7; padding: 4rem 4rem 0px; }<br \/>\n.white { color: #fff; }<br \/>\n.white ul li::before, .greenbg ul li::before { color: #fff !important; }<br \/>\n.lrg-txt { line-height: 2.5rem; }<br \/>\n.lightgrey { background: #F7F7F7; padding: 2rem 5rem 3rem 5rem; }<br \/>\n.nogap { gap: 0 !important; }<br \/>\n.lftbrdr { border-left: 2px #ffffff solid; padding-left: 2rem; margin-right: 1rem; }<br \/>\n<\/style>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile full has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(29,134,128) 0%,rgb(29,134,128) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<span style=\"color: white\">\n\n\n<h1 style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Understanding\nkidney cancer<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap;\">\n<p class=\"text-descriptive\" style=\"color: white;\">Share this article<\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M6.023 16L6 9H3V6h3V4c0-2.7 1.672-4 4.08-4 1.153 0 2.144.086 2.433.124v2.821h-1.67c-1.31 0-1.563.623-1.563 1.536V6H13l-1 3H9.28v7H6.023z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882 Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 3.5c-.6.3-1.2.4-1.9.5.7-.4 1.2-1 1.4-1.8-.6.4-1.3.6-2.1.8-.6-.6-1.5-1-2.4-1-1.7 0-3.2 1.5-3.2 3.3 0 .3 0 .5.1.7-2.7-.1-5.2-1.4-6.8-3.4-.3.5-.4 1-.4 1.7 0 1.1.6 2.1 1.5 2.7-.5 0-1-.2-1.5-.4 0 1.6 1.1 2.9 2.6 3.2-.3.1-.6.1-.9.1-.2 0-.4 0-.6-.1.4 1.3 1.6 2.3 3.1 2.3-1.1.9-2.5 1.4-4.1 1.4H0c1.5.9 3.2 1.5 5 1.5 6 0 9.3-5 9.3-9.3v-.4c.7-.5 1.3-1.1 1.7-1.8z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M15.205 0H.695C.299 0 0 .3 0 .7v14.7c0 .3.298.6.696.6h14.608c.398 0 .696-.3.696-.7V.7c-.1-.4-.398-.7-.795-.7zM4.671 13.6H2.385V6H4.77v7.6h-.1zM3.578 5c-.795 0-1.392-.7-1.392-1.4 0-.8.597-1.4 1.392-1.4.795 0 1.39.6 1.39 1.4-.098.7-.695 1.4-1.39 1.4zm9.938 8.6H11.13V9.9c0-.9 0-2-1.192-2-1.193 0-1.391 1-1.391 2v3.8H6.16V6h2.286v1c.298-.6 1.093-1.2 2.187-1.2 2.385 0 2.782 1.6 2.782 3.6v4.2h.1z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>\n            <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses&amp;body=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n    <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 5.7V14c0 .6-.4 1-1 1H1c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1V5.7l7.5 4.2c.28.14.72.14 1 0L16 5.7zM15 1c.6 0 1 .4 1 1v1.5L8 7.9 0 3.4V2c0-.6.4-1 1-1z\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/p>            \n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3600\" height=\"2400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/cancer2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7108 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">What is kidney cancer?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The kidney is an integral part of the urinary system, producing urine by filtering excess water, salt and waste material from the blood. Kidneys are made up of a network of millions of small tubes called nephrons, which are each composed of a tubule and a corpuscle. Tubules are microscopic tubes that collect the waste materials and chemicals. Corpuscles have a clump of tiny blood vessels that filter the blood.<sup>1,2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cells in the kidneys sometime change and no longer behave or grow normally. These changes may lead to non-cancerous (benign) conditions like cysts or non-cancerous tumours such as papillary renal adenoma. In some cases, however, these changes can cause kidney cancer.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Areas of the kidney where cancer begins&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common type of kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and makes up approximately 90% of kidney cancer cases.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,255,255) 0%,rgb(255,255,255) 93%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"466\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-30-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7033 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:17px\">There are <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:32px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">several subtypes of RCC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>with the most common type being clear cell RCC where cells appear clear or very pale under the microscope.<sup>2,3<\/sup>&nbsp;This type of cancer starts in the cells that line the tubules.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"466\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-21_1-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7034 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:17px\">It was estimated that in 2024,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:32px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">9,000 Canadians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>were diagnosed with kidney and renal pelvis cancer.<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Risk factors include:<sup style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">5<\/sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(247,247,247) 12%,rgb(247,247,247) 93%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_20.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6988 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Age &gt;50<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_15-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6992 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&nbsp;Overweight and obesity<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_13.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6991 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Certain inherited genetic conditions<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"242\" height=\"245\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-13_2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7181 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Family history of kidney cancer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"242\" height=\"245\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-13_1-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7180 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Tall adult height<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6990 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Smoking tobacco<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_18-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6986 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>High blood pressure<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/03\/Artboard-22_21.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7263 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>End-stage kidney disease and dialysis<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"242\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Artboard-13.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7175 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Contact with trichloroethylene (TCE) (an industrial solvent)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Symptoms and diagnosis&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In earlier stages of kidney cancer, there may not be any signs or symptoms. However, as the tumour grows and the disease progresses, symptoms may be more apparent. Some of these symptoms can include:<sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-21-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6903\" width=\"228\" height=\"226\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>blood in the urine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pain in the back and side of the abdomen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a mass or lump that can be felt in the abdomen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>swelling of the legs and ankles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>high blood pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fatigue or night sweats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>low red blood cell count (called anemia)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>loss of appetite or weight loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your doctor may want to perform tests to help confirm or rule out a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 100%,rgb(247,247,247) 100%)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"green\">Some of these tests include:<sup>7-9<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7046 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Blood chemistry tests:\u0003<\/strong>A method used to measure substances such as electrolyte and other chemicals in the blood.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6930 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Ultrasound:\u0003<\/strong>A method using high-frequency sound waves to produce images, called sonograms, that are used to see inside of the abdomen and look for any changes in the kidneys.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_1-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7050 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Urinalysis<\/strong>:\u0003A test to measure substances like electrolytes, hormones and blood in the urine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_2-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7053 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Computed tomography (CT) scan<\/strong>:\u0003A procedure that combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer processes to create 3D and cross-sectional images of the organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels inside the body.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_3-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7054 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)<\/strong>: A medical imaging exam that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create 3D and cross-sectional images of organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/01\/Artboard-22_4-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7055 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Biopsy<\/strong>. A procedure to remove tissues or cells from the body so they can be tested in a lab.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If diagnosed, your doctor will evaluate your condition based on the stage and type of kidney cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><strong>References: 1<\/strong>. Canadian Cancer Society. What is kidney cancer? Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/what-is-kidney-cancer\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/what-is-kidney-cancer<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>2<\/strong>. American Cancer Society. What is Kidney Cancer? Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kidney-cancer\/about\/what-is-kidney-cancer.html\">https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/kidney-cancer\/about\/what-is-kidney-cancer.html<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>3<\/strong>. Cancer.net. Kidney Cancer: Introduction. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/kidney-cancer\/introduction\">https:\/\/www.cancer.net\/cancer-types\/kidney-cancer\/introduction<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>4<\/strong>. Canadian Cancer Society. Kidney cancer statistics. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/statistics\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/statistics<\/a>. Last accessed February 13, 2025. <strong>5<\/strong>. Canadian Cancer Society. Risk factors for kidney cancer. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/risks\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/risks<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>6<\/strong>. Canadian Cancer Society. Symptoms of kidney cancer. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/signs-and-symptoms\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/signs-and-symptoms<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>7<\/strong>. Canadian Cancer Society. Diagnosis of kidney cancer. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/diagnosis\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/kidney\/diagnosis<\/a>. Last accessed February 27, 2023. <strong>8<\/strong>. Mayo Clinic. CT Scan. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/ct-scan\/about\/pac-20393675\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/ct-scan\/about\/pac-20393675<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023. <strong>9<\/strong>. Mayo Clinic. MRI. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/mri\/about\/pac-20384768\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/mri\/about\/pac-20384768<\/a>. Last accessed March 7, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:12px\">CA-NON-03929<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is kidney cancer?&nbsp;&nbsp; The kidney is an integral part of the urinary system, producing urine by filtering excess water, salt and waste material from the blood. Kidneys are made up of a network of millions of small tubes called nephrons, which are each composed of a tubule and a corpuscle. Tubules are microscopic tubes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7108,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"bdl_company_name":[],"bdl_item_external_link":[],"footnotes":""},"tags":[27],"content_topic":[],"admin_field":[],"class_list":["post-6891","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-oncology"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Understanding kidney cancer - Merck Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/understanding-kidney-cancer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding kidney cancer - Merck Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is kidney cancer?&nbsp;&nbsp; The kidney is an integral part of the urinary system, producing urine by filtering excess water, salt and waste material from the blood. 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