Kidney mass / Cancer

Kidney cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in your kidney, often presenting as a mass. Early on, there may be no symptoms, but later signs can include blood in urine or back pain. While exact causes are often unclear, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and managing weight can help reduce risk. Treatment options vary and are tailored to each individual.

Please review the videos and resources below at your own pace.

Recommended Videos

What is a Renal Mass? - Urology Care Foundation

Learn about renal masses: their definition, types (benign/cancerous, cystic/solid), how they're found, and treatment options. Understand surveillance, ablation, partial/radical nephrectomy. From Urology Care Foundation.

Active Surveillance for Kidney Cancer

Johns Hopkins leads Active Surveillance for kidney cancer. The DISSRM Registry shows many with small renal masses can safely avoid immediate surgery, with 80% growing slowly or not at all.

Management of Small Renal Masses w/ Dr. Phil Pierorazio | BackTable Urology Podcast Ep. 26

Dr. Phil Pierorazio shares expertise on small renal mass management. Discusses diagnostic imaging, active surveillance, ablation, enucleation, partial nephrectomy, and considerations for VHL patients.

Recommended Resources
Related Resources from Dr. Canes
Meet Dr. Canes

Associate Professor of Urology

Board Certified Urologist

Medical Director, Lahey Urology at Parkland Medical Center

Director of Robotic Surgery, Parkland Medical Center

Locations
Thanks for visiting! I strive for a true two-way partnership with my patients. Here's my philosophy: I want to make learning about your own health as easy as possible. I built out these pages to provide you with my favorite resources in an easy and organized format. That way, you'll be empowered, and together we can achieve success. Feel free to share it with your loved ones.
Find me online