18/06/2026 13:57 - Salud
Ilustración médica de un riñón humano con representación visual de detección temprana, mostrando la importancia del diagnóstico precoz en cáncer renal, con estilo profesional y colores institucionales de salud
Kidney cancer has a particular characteristic that makes it especially dangerous: in its early stages, it rarely produces symptoms. Unlike other tumors that generate warning signs from the beginning, this type of cancer can develop for months or even years without causing discomfort.
Due to the location of the kidneys within the abdomen, small tumors are usually not detected during a routine physical examination. This combination of factors explains why many diagnoses occur incidentally—when a person undergoes an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI for another reason and the test reveals the presence of the tumor.
In Argentina, kidney cancer is the fifth most common tumor and represented 3.9% of cancer diagnoses recorded in 2020. Globally, it is responsible for 3% of cancer deaths, while in the country, mortality associated with this pathology reached 3.5% during the same period.
It is estimated that it could be causing more than 2,500 deaths per year, and projections indicate that this figure will continue to grow in the coming decades.
90% of malignant kidney tumors are due to renal cell carcinoma, explained Dr. Carlos Silva, head of the Oncology Service at the Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires (British Hospital of Buenos Aires, one of Argentina's most prestigious medical institutions). It is a type of cancer with higher incidence in men, but also has a strong presence according to age.
"While there are risk factors we cannot modify, such as age, there are others we must consider to reduce risk," the specialist pointed out.
Although kidney cancer is usually silent at the beginning, there are symptoms that may appear when the tumor grows or the disease progresses:
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Persistent pain in the lower back or side
Appearance of a lump or mass in the abdomen
Constant fatigue
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Prolonged fever without infectious cause
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Doctors clarify that none of these symptoms alone confirms the presence of cancer, but they justify a medical consultation to determine their origin.
Scientific advances have significantly improved the prognosis for those who receive an early diagnosis. The differences in survival rates are compelling:
| Cancer Stage | Relative 5-Year Survival |
|---|---|
| Localized in the kidney | 93% |
| Spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes | 75% |
| Distant metastasis (spread to other organs) | 18% |
Currently, more than 50% of patients with kidney cancer detected at an early stage can be cured, according to Dr. Gabriela Bugarin (MN 71.988), medical director of Oncology.
When cancer remains localized in the kidney, surgery is usually the main therapeutic strategy. In some cases, techniques such as ablation, radiotherapy, or even active surveillance may be indicated when the characteristics of the tumor allow it.
If the disease has already spread outside the kidney, options include immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and in specific situations, chemotherapy.
"Targeted therapies have been developed aimed at specific molecular targets that regulate the formation of blood vessels that feed the tumor. Another option is immunotherapy, which empowers the patient's immune system response," explained Dr. Silva.
Beyond the physical consequences, kidney cancer also has a strong emotional impact. A survey conducted by the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) revealed that 85% of patients reported having suffered emotional affectation after diagnosis.
Among the most frequent concerns were:
"It is important to listen to patients, know their concerns, and encourage them to seek psychological support when necessary," concluded the specialist.
Specialists agree that adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk:
Sources: Rosario3 (a major news portal from Rosario, Argentina's third-largest city) | El Litoral (one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in Argentina's Santa Fe province)
Alfredo S. Quiroga
