Weill Medical College of Cornell University

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• Urinary System
• Urinary Incontinence
• Prostate Cancer
• Anatomy of the Prostate Gland
• Diagnosis and Evaluation
• Grading Prostate Cancer
• Prostate Cancer in African-American Men
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Statistics
• Surgery
• Expectant Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Psychosocial Factors
• Coping with Prostate Cancer: For Family Members
• Glossary
• Bladder Cancer
• Causes
• Diagnosis and Evaluation
• Grading/Staging
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention
• Testicular Cancer
• Diagnosis and Evaluation
• Grading/Staging
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention
• Kidney Cancer
• Diagnosis and Evaluation
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Cancer Overview
• Cancer Rehabilitation
• Cancer, Overview of Diagnosis

Diagnosis and Evaluation

How is kidney cancer (renal cell cancer) diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for kidney cancer may include the following:

• blood and urine laboratory tests
• intravenous pyelogram (IVP) - a series of x-rays of the kidney, ureters, and bladder with the injection of a contrast dye into the vein - to detect tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any obstructions, and to assess renal blood flow.
• renal angiography (Also called arteriography.) - a series of x-rays of the renal blood vessels with the injection of a contrast dye into a catheter, which is placed into the blood vessels of the kidney, to detect any signs of blockage or abnormalities affecting the blood supply to the kidneys.
• other imaging tests (to show the difference between diseased and healthy tissues), including the following:
  • computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a non-invasive procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray.
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive procedure that produces two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain and spinal cord.
  • ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.

Based on results of other tests and procedures, a biopsy may be needed. A biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of the tumor is removed and sent to the laboratory for examination by a pathologist. Biopsy is the only sure way to diagnose cancer.