The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine, just behind the intestines. They act as filters to remove excess fluid, electrolytes and waste from the blood. Different types of cancer can develop in the kidney.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It starts in the lining of tubules (very small tubes) in the kidneys and starts growing uncontrollably to form a single mass within the kidney. More than one tumour can develop in one or both kidneys. This cancer occurs mainly in men aged 50 – 70 years old.