Renal cancer

Renal cell cancer is the seventh most common cancer in males and ninth most common in females in the UK. Although it classically presents with haematuria, loin pain and a palpable mass, increasingly small renal cancers are being detected incidentally. Curative treatment for the disease remains surgical, with, until recently, few effective additional treatments. Recent advances in the molecular/genetic understanding of the disease have enabled the development of effective treatments for advanced disease. Surgery for renal cancer remains technically challenging and increasing detection of small tumours is necessitating the development of lower morbidity, nephron-sparing techniques. This article discusses current understanding of renal cancer, modes of diagnosis and various treatment options available.