What is kidney cancer?
- Kidney cancer, also called renal cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys.
- The kidneys are 2 small organs either side of your spine below your ribs. They remove waste and extra fluid from the blood, turning it into pee.
- Kidney cancer is most common in people over 60.
- How serious kidney cancer is depends on where it is in the kidney, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.
Important: Get your symptoms checked
It’s important to get any symptoms of kidney cancer checked as soon as possible.
Page last reviewed: 31 May 2023
Next review due: 31 May 2026