Staging is an important step after any cancer diagnosis. It provides your care team with the information they need to create a treatment plan that’s personalized to you. With renal cell (kidney) cancer, your doctor may use imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds to look at the kidney and surrounding areas. Sometimes a biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue) is done to confirm the diagnosis. Blood and urine tests can also provide clues about how well your kidneys are working. All of this information is put together to give a stage number from I to IV and provides insights into where the cancer is located and whether it has spread.

Below’s an overview of what the different stages mean.  

Stage I

In stage I, the cancer is only in the kidney and hasn’t spread anywhere else. The tumor is small, measuring 7 centimeters or less. People with stage I disease often don’t have symptoms, and the cancer may be found by chance during an imaging test for something else. If symptoms do happen, they might include blood in the urine or a dull pain in the side.

Treatment for stage I typically involves surgery to remove part of the kidney with the tumor.

Stage II

At stage II, the cancer is still contained within the kidney and hasn’t spread, but the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters. Even though the cancer is bigger, it’s still localized. Surgery to remove the tumor or the entire kidney may be effective. Symptoms, if they appear, are similar to stage I but may be more noticeable.

Stage III

Stage III renal cell (kidney) cancer means the disease has grown beyond the kidney into nearby tissues or veins, or it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. At this stage, it hasn’t spread to distant parts of the body, although symptoms may be more noticeable. This could mean more persistent flank pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. Treatment often involves surgery and may also include other therapies to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Stage IV

Stage IV is the most advanced stage. Stage IV means the cancer has spread beyond the kidney to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, liver, or brain. Symptoms can vary depending on where the cancer has spread, but may include severe pain, shortness of breath, or bone fractures. At this stage, surgery may still be considered in some cases, but treatment often focuses on systemic therapies like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of approaches to help control the disease and improve quality of life.

Understanding the stage of your disease is the first step in making informed decisions about your care. Each stage has different treatment options, and your care team will work closely with you to create a plan that fits your health and personal goals.

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