Signs and symptoms
Most people with a benign kidney tumour do not have any signs and symptoms. Symptoms may appear once the tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs.
blood in the urine (hematuria)
pain in the back and side of the abdomen (flank)
lump in the abdomen
Diagnosis
Many people with a benign kidney tumour are diagnosed when having an imaging test for other medical reasons. Imaging tests cannot tell the difference between a benign kidney tumour and a malignant renal cell carcinoma.
If the signs and symptoms of a benign kidney tumour are present, or if the doctor suspects a problem with the kidney, tests will be done to make a diagnosis. Tests may include:
computed tomography (CT) scan
ultrasound
biopsy
A biopsy may be done if the doctor suspects that the tumour in the kidney is an oncocytoma, to rule out the presence of an aggressive malignant tumour.
Biopsy is not done on angiomyolipoma, because of the possibility that the tumour may bleed.
Treatment
Treatment options for benign kidney tumours may include:
active surveillance – for tumours causing no symptoms that are confirmed to be benign
no treatment is offered, but the person is followed with imaging tests
surgery – for tumours causing symptoms or tumours that grow after being watched with imaging tests
radical nephrectomy
partial (kidney-sparing) nephrectomy