How is kidney cancer staging checked

Kidney cancer usually refers to renal cell carcinoma. Quite a number of large kidney cancers may be asymptomatic. Kidney cancer without any symptoms is called incidental kidney cancer. Such patients often accidentally discover kidney masses during physical examinations and ultrasound examinations. Some patients come to the doctor with hematuria or increased red blood cells in urine tests, low back pain, fatigue, low fever, lower limb edema, etc. There is currently no specific blood test for kidney cancer. Imaging examinations play a very important role in the diagnosis of kidney cancer. Confirmation depends on pathological examinations.

1. Abdominal B-ultrasound or color Doppler ultrasound Most kidney tumors are first discovered by B-ultrasound. Many people with sporadic kidney cancer are first discovered by B-ultrasound. However, it is generally difficult to detect kidney tumors with a diameter of less than 1.5 cm by B-ultrasound.
2. Abdominal CT plain scan and enhanced scan This examination is currently the gold standard for diagnosing renal cancer. Currently, about 90% of renal cancer is diagnosed through upper abdominal CT plain scan + enhanced scan. CT plays a certain role in determining the stage of tumors before surgery.
3. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI has the same value as CT in the diagnosis of renal cancer, but it is usually used clinically to evaluate the presence and location of renal vein vena cava tumor thrombus. The latest research shows that MRI plays a certain role in determining the pathological type and stage of renal cancer.
4. Abdominal ultrasound contrast imaging is currently mainly used to diagnose kidney tumors in patients with iodine allergy and renal impairment. It also has clinical value in the diagnosis of cystic renal cancer.
5. Renal tumor puncture biopsy: Routine preoperative renal tumor puncture biopsy is not recommended at present. For patients with difficult to make a clear diagnosis or advanced renal tumors who need targeted treatment, puncture biopsy can be considered.