Kidney Cancer in Children (PDQ®)–Patient Version
What is kidney cancer in children?
Kidney cancer occurs when cells in one or both kidneys start to grow without control and form a tumor. There are many types of kidney tumors that can occur in children and adolescents. Some are benign (not cancer), and others are cancerous. Most kidney tumors in children are cancer. Even though benign tumors don't spread like cancer, they can affect a child's health and kidney function. Treatment is usually needed for benign and cancerous tumors.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just above the waist. Their main job is to remove waste and extra fluids from the body to make urine:
- Tiny tubules in the kidneys filter and clean the blood.
- Urine passes from each kidney through a thin tube called a ureter into the bladder.
- The bladder stores the urine until it leaves the body through a tube called the urethra.
Symptoms of kidney cancer in children
Sometimes childhood kidney cancer causes symptoms. But sometimes a parent finds a tumor in the abdomen by chance. Or a doctor finds a tumor during a well-child health check-up. It's important to check with your child's doctor if your child has:
- a lump, swelling, or pain in the abdomen
- blood in the urine
- back pain
- fever for no known reason
- weight loss for no known reason
- infection
- anemia
- hypercalcemia with symptoms of loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness, or feeling very tired
These symptoms may also be caused by other problems. The only way to know is for your child to see a doctor.
Tests to diagnose kidney cancer in children
If your child has symptoms that suggest kidney cancer, the doctor will need to find out if these are due to cancer or another problem. The doctor will ask when the symptoms started and how often your child has been having them. The doctor will also ask about your child's personal and family medical history and do a physical exam. Depending on these results, they may recommend other tests. If your child is diagnosed with kidney cancer, the results of these tests will help plan treatment.
The tests used to diagnose kidney cancer may include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
A CBC checks a sample of blood for:
- the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- the amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells
- the amount of hematocrit (whole blood that is made up of red blood cells)
Blood chemistry studies
Blood chemistry studies use a blood sample to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues. An unusual amount of a substance can be a sign that the liver and kidneys are not working as they should.
Renal function test
A renal function test uses blood or urine samples to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood or urine by the kidneys. An unusual amount of a substance can be a sign that the kidneys are not working as they should.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis checks the color of urine and its contents, such as sugar, protein, blood, and bacteria.
Ultrasound exam
Ultrasound exam uses high-energy sound waves that bounce off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.
CT scan (CAT scan)
CT scan uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create 3-D views of tissue and organs. A dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. Learn more about Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium
MRI uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the abdomen or pelvis. A substance called gadolinium is injected into a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
X-ray
An x-ray is a type of radiation that can go through the body and make pictures of areas inside the body.
PET-CT Scan
PET-CT scan combines the pictures from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a computed tomography (CT) scan. The PET and CT scans are done at the same time on the same machine. The combined scans make more detailed pictures than either test would make by itself.
- For the PET scan, a small amount of radioactive sugar (also called radioactive glucose) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where sugar is being used in the body. Cancer cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more sugar than normal cells.
- For the CT scan (CAT scan), a series of detailed x-ray pictures of areas inside the body is taken from different angles to create 3-D views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. Learn more about Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer.
Biopsy
Biopsy is the removal of a sample of cells or tissue from the tumor so that a pathologist can view it under a microscope to check for cancer. Whether your child will have a biopsy is based on:
- The size of the tumor.
- The stage of the cancer. There will not be a biopsy if the tumor looks like it can be removed with surgery or it is stage 1 or stage 2. The reason for not doing a biopsy is to avoid the spread of tumor cells during the procedure.
- Whether cancer is in one or both kidneys.
- Whether imaging tests clearly show the cancer.
Your child may have a biopsy before they receive any treatment, after chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, or during surgery to remove the tumor.
Getting a second opinion
You may want to get a second opinion to confirm your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan. If you seek a second opinion, you will need to get medical test results and reports from the first doctor to share with the second doctor. The second doctor will review the pathology report, slides, and scans. They may agree with the first doctor, suggest changes to the treatment plan, or provide more information about your child’s tumor.
To learn more about choosing a doctor and getting a second opinion, visit Finding Cancer Care. You can contact NCI's Cancer Information Service via chat, email, or phone (both in English and Spanish) for help finding a doctor or hospital that can provide a second opinion. For questions you might want to ask at your child’s doctor visits, visit Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer.
Genetic counseling for children with kidney cancer
If your child is diagnosed with kidney cancer, it may not be clear from the family medical history whether it was caused by an inherited condition that increased their risk. Genetic counseling can assess the likelihood that your child's cancer is inherited and whether genetic testing is needed. Genetic counselors and other specially trained health professionals can discuss your child’s diagnosis and your family’s medical history to help you understand the:
- options for testing for Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, for children diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma
- options for testing for changes in the SMARCB1 gene, for children diagnosed with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
- options for testing for changes in the DICER1 gene, for children diagnosed with multilocular cystic nephroma or anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney
- risk of your child developing other types of cancer
- risk of kidney tumors and other cancers for your child's siblings
- risks and benefits of learning genetic information
Genetic counselors can also help you cope with your child's genetic testing results. This can include how to discuss the results with family members. They can advise you about whether other members in your family should receive genetic testing.
Learn more about genetic testing at Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk.
Stages of kidney cancer in children
After your child is diagnosed with kidney cancer, they will be referred to a pediatric oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in staging and treating cancer in children.
Staging is the process of learning the extent of the cancer in the body. Sometimes cancer is found only in the kidney. Or, it may have spread to other parts of the body. The doctor will recommend tests to see if the cancer has spread, and if so, how far.
To learn about the TNM staging system used for adults and children with renal cell cancer, visit Stages of Renal Cell Cancer.
To learn more about the Children's Oncology Group staging system used for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, or anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney, visit Stages of Wilms tumor.
When kidney cancer comes back after treatment, it is called recurrent kidney cancer. If there are signs that the cancer has returned, your child will have tests to find out where the cancer is in your child's body and if it has spread. The type of treatment will depend on the type of kidney cancer and where in the body it has come back.
Types of kidney cancer in children
There are many types of kidney cancer that occur in children. The type of kidney cancer is often based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope, certain genetic changes that may be present in the tumor, and other tests.
Wilms tumor
Wilms tumor is the most common kidney cancer in children younger than 15 years. It can occur in one or both kidneys. This cancer can spread to the lungs, liver, bone, brain, or nearby lymph nodes. Learn more at Wilms Tumor.
Renal cell cancer (RCC)
Renal cell cancer is the most common type of kidney cancer in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years and in adults. This cancer is rare in children younger than 15 years. RCC is often diagnosed at a later stage in children and adolescents. When the cancer is found, it may already have spread to the lungs, liver, bone, brain, or lymph nodes.
Renal medullary cancer is a rare subtype of renal cell cancer that grows and spreads quickly.
Causes and risk factors for RCC
Childhood RCC is caused by certain changes in the way kidney cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. The exact cause of these changes is often unknown. Learn more about how cancer develops at What Is Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of getting a disease. Not every child with one or more of these risk factors will develop RCC. And it will develop in some children who don't have a known risk factor.
RCC may be related to certain inherited conditions or prior cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for childhood cancers like neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma, leukemia, or Wilms tumor.
Inherited conditions linked to RCC include:
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), an inherited condition that can increase the risk of kidney tumors
- tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that causes fatty cysts in the kidney and other parts of the body
- familial RCC, a condition that occurs when certain changes in the genes that cause kidney cancer are passed down from the parent to the child
- sickle cell hemoglobinopathy, a genetic disorder that causes sickle cell disease and may be associated with renal medullary cancer (a rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma)
- hereditary leiomyomatosis, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of having cancer of the kidney, skin, and uterus
Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.
Monitoring children at risk of RCC
If your child has VHL disease, they have a higher risk of developing RCC. Your child may be monitored with yearly check-ups, including an abdominal ultrasound and MRI, starting between the ages of 8 to 11 years to look for kidney tumors.
Treatment of RCC
Treatment of renal cell cancer may include:
- surgery, which may be either nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy with removal of lymph nodes
- immunotherapy, such as interleukin-2, for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body
- targeted therapy, such as sunitinib or cabozantinib, for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body
Learn more about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, your child's doctor will talk with you about what to expect and next steps. There might be treatment options that shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatment options, your child can receive care to control their cancer symptoms so they can be as comfortable as possible.
Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney is a type of cancer that occurs mostly in infants and young children. It is often advanced at the time of diagnosis and grows and spreads quickly, often to the lungs or brain.
Children with a certain change in the SMARCB1 or SMARCA4 genes can have cancer grow in the kidney, brain, or soft tissues. Children with SMARCB1 are checked regularly to see if a rhabdoid tumor has formed in the kidney or the brain.
Causes and risk factors for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney is caused by certain changes in the way kidney cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. The exact cause of these changes is often unknown. Learn more about how cancer develops at What Is Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of getting a disease. Children with a certain change in the SMARCB1 or SMARCA4 gene may have an increased risk of developing cancer in the kidney, brain, or soft tissues. Not every child with these risk factors will develop rhabdoid tumor of the kidney. And it will develop in some children who don't have a known risk factor.
Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.
Monitoring children at risk of rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
If your child has an inherited change to the SMARCB1 gene, they may have a higher risk of developing rhabdoid tumor of the kidney and other types of cancer. Your child may have check-ups from birth until age 5 years, including a brain MRI and an abdominal ultrasound every 3 months, to look for cancer.
Treatment of rhabdoid tumor of the kidney
There is no standard treatment for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney. Treatment may include:
- a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy
- high-dose chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplant
Learn more about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, your child's doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There might be treatment options that may shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child can receive care to control symptoms from cancer so they can be as comfortable as possible.
Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney
Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is a rare cancer that occurs most often before age 3 years. It may spread to the bone, lungs, brain, liver, or soft tissue. Most relapses occur within 3 years of treatment. But it may come back up to 14 years after treatment, though this is rare. Clear cell sarcoma often comes back in the brain or lungs.
Treatment of stage I clear cell sarcoma of the kidney may include:
- surgery with removal of lymph nodes to test them for cancer cells followed by chemotherapy
Treatment of stages II, III, and IV clear cell sarcoma of the kidney may include:
- surgery with removal of lymph nodes to test them for cancer cells followed by combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Treatment of recurrent clear cell sarcoma of the kidney may include chemotherapy, surgical resection (if possible), and radiation therapy.
Learn about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
Congenital mesoblastic nephroma
Congenital mesoblastic nephroma is a tumor of the kidney that is often diagnosed during the first year of life or before birth. It is the most common kidney tumor found in infants younger than 6 months old and is found more often in males than in females.
Some of these tumors have cells with a certain genetic change called a translocation. This means that part of one chromosome switches places with part of another chromosome. In congenital mesoblastic nephroma an abnormal gene is formed when the ETV6 gene on chromosome 12 switches places with the NTRK3 gene on another chromosome.
Treatment of stages I, II, and some children with stage III congenital mesoblastic nephroma may include surgery.
Treatment for some children with stage III congenital mesoblastic nephroma may include surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Treatment of recurrent congenital mesoblastic nephroma may include:
- surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy
- targeted therapy, such as larotrectinib or entrectinib
Learn about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
Ewing sarcoma of the kidney
Ewing sarcoma of the kidney is a rare cancer that usually occurs in young adults. Young adults are usually diagnosed with large tumors that grow and spread to other parts of the body quickly. The cancer may spread to the lungs, liver or bone.
There is no standard treatment for Ewing sarcoma of the kidney. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
It may also be treated in the same way that Ewing sarcoma is treated. To learn more, visit Ewing Sarcoma Treatment.
Primary renal myoepithelial carcinoma
Primary renal myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare cancer that grows and spreads quickly. It usually affects soft tissues, but it sometimes forms in the internal organs, such as the kidney.
There is no standard treatment for primary renal myoepithelial carcinoma. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Learn about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, your child's doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There might be treatment options that may shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child can receive care to control symptoms from cancer so they can be as comfortable as possible.
Multilocular cystic nephroma
Multilocular cystic nephromas are benign tumors made up of cysts. They are most common in infants, young children, and adult women. These tumors can occur in one or both kidneys.
Multilocular cystic nephroma is caused by certain changes in the way kidney cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. The exact cause of these changes is often unknown. Learn more about how cancer develops at What Is Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of getting a disease. Multilocular cystic nephroma may be an inherited condition that is caused by a change in the DICER1 gene. Not every child with this risk factor will develop multilocular cystic nephroma. And it will develop in some children who don't have a known risk factor. Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.
Children with a change in the DICER1 gene may have imaging tests to check the lungs for cysts or solid tumors called pleuropulmonary blastoma. To learn more, visit Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.
Treatment of multilocular cystic nephroma includes surgery. Learn more about this treatment in the Types of treatment section.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, your child's doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There might be treatment options that may shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child can receive care to control symptoms from cancer so they can be as comfortable as possible.
Anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney
Anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney is a rare cancer that is most common in children or adolescents younger than age 15 years. Anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney often spreads to the lungs, liver, or bones.
Anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney is caused by certain changes in the way kidney cells function, especially how they grow and divide into new cells. The exact cause of these changes is often unknown. Learn more about how cancer develops at What Is Cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of getting a disease. Anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney may be an inherited condition that is caused by a change in the DICER1 gene. Not every child with this risk factor will develop anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney. And it will develop in some children who don't have a known risk factor. Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.
Children with a change in the DICER1 gene may also have imaging tests to check the lungs for cysts or solid tumors called pleuropulmonary blastoma. To learn more, visit Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.
There is no standard treatment for anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney. Treatment is usually the same treatment given for anaplastic Wilms tumor or Ewing sarcoma. To learn more, visit Wilms Tumor or Ewing Sarcoma Treatment.
Primary renal synovial sarcoma
Primary renal synovial sarcoma is a cyst-like cancer that is often found in the right kidney of young adults. These tumors grow and spread quickly.
Some tumors have cells with a certain genetic change called a translocation. This means that part of one chromosome switches places with part of another chromosome. In primary renal synovial sarcoma, the SS18 gene on chromosome 18 switches places with the SSX gene on another chromosome to make an abnormal gene. To diagnose primary renal synovial sarcoma, the tumor cells may be checked for this genetic change.
Treatment of primary renal synovial sarcoma usually includes surgery and maybe chemotherapy. Learn more about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, your child's doctor will talk with you about what to expect and possible next steps. There might be treatment options that may shrink the cancer or control its growth. If there are no treatments, your child can receive care to control symptoms from cancer so they can be as comfortable as possible.
Nephroblastomatosis
Nephroblastomatosis (also called diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis) is not cancer. But if untreated, it can become a Wilms tumor, which is cancer.
Sometimes, after the kidneys form in the fetus, abnormal groups of kidney cells remain. These abnormal groups of cells may grow in many places inside the kidney or make a thick layer around the kidney. They most often occur in both kidneys. If these cells are found in one kidney after surgery for Wilms tumor, the child has an increased risk of Wilms tumor in the other kidney.
Treatment of nephroblastomatosis may include chemotherapy followed by nephrectomy. Sometimes a partial nephrectomy may be done to keep as much kidney function as possible. Learn more about these treatments in the Types of treatment section.
Types of treatment for kidney cancer in children
Who treats children with kidney cancer?
A pediatric oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating children with cancer, oversees treatment of kidney cancer. The pediatric oncologist works with other health care providers who are experts in treating children with childhood kidney tumors and also specialize in other areas of medicine. Other specialists may include:
Treatment options
There are different types of treatment for children and adolescents with kidney cancer. You and your child’s cancer team will work together to decide treatment. Treatment will depend on factors such as your child’s overall health and whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has come back.
Your child’s treatment plan will include information about the cancer, the goals for treatment, treatment options, and the possible side effects. It will be helpful to talk with your child’s cancer care team before treatment begins about what to expect. For help every step of the way, visit our booklet, Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
Types of treatment your child might have include:
Surgery
Children with kidney cancer may have surgery to obtain a biopsy sample or to remove the cancer. There are two types of surgery used to treat kidney cancer:
- Nephrectomy is surgery to remove the whole kidney. This surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and checked for cancer.
If the cancer is in both kidneys and they are not working well, your child may have a kidney transplant. A transplant is surgery to remove a kidney and replace it with one from a donor.
- Partial nephrectomy is the removal of the cancer in the kidney and a small amount of normal tissue around it. Your child may have this surgery if cancer is found in both kidneys or is likely to spread to both kidneys. The goal of the surgery is to keep as much of the kidney as possible. A partial nephrectomy is also called renal-sparing surgery.
After the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, your child may have chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both to kill any cancer cells that are left. Sometimes after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, doctors will do a second-look surgery to see if cancer remains.
Sometimes kidney cancer cannot be removed for one of these reasons:
- the tumor is too close to important organs or blood vessels
- the tumor is too large to remove
- the cancer is in both kidneys, unless the tumors are very small
- there is a blood clot in the vessels near the liver
- your child has trouble breathing because cancer has spread to the lungs
In this case, your child will have a biopsy first. Then they will receive chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor before surgery. The goal of this approach is to save as much healthy tissue as possible and reduce problems after surgery.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. A type of radiation therapy called external beam radiation is used to treat childhood kidney tumors. It uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Radiation therapy may be given alone or with other treatments, such as chemotherapy.
To learn more, visit External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer and Radiation Therapy Side Effects.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given alone or with other types of treatment, such as radiation therapy.
For children with kidney cancer, chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein. When given this way, chemotherapy enters the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy that is used alone or in combination to treat kidney cancer include:
Other chemotherapy not listed here may also be used.
Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Shrinking the tumor before surgery can help save as much healthy tissue as possible and reduce problems after surgery. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Learn more about how chemotherapy works, how it is given, common side effects, and more at Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses your child’s immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy that may be used to treat kidney cancer in children includes interleukin-2 (IL-2).
To learn more about immunotherapy, visit Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer.
Stem cell transplant
Stem cell transplant (stem cell rescue) is a procedure to replace the blood-forming stem cells that are destroyed when high doses of chemotherapy are given to kill cancer cells. Before high-dose chemotherapy, stem cells (immature blood cells) are removed from the blood or bone marrow of your child and stored in a freezer. After your child completes chemotherapy, the frozen stem cells are thawed and given back to them through an infusion. These stem cells grow into new blood cells.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. Targeted therapy that is used or being studied to treat childhood kidney cancer may include:
To learn more, visit Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer.
Clinical trials
For some children, joining a clinical trial may be an option. There are different types of clinical trials for childhood cancer. For example, a treatment trial tests new treatments or new ways of using current treatments. Supportive care and palliative care trials look at ways to improve quality of life, especially for those who have side effects from cancer and its treatment.
You can use the clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials accepting participants. The search allows you to filter trials based on the type of cancer, your child's age, and where the trials are being done. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Learn more about clinical trials, including how to find and join one, at Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers.
Prognostic factors for kidney cancer in children
If your child has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, you likely have questions about how serious the cancer is and your child’s chances of survival. The likely outcome or course of a disease is called prognosis.
The prognosis for renal cell cancer depends on:
- the stage of the cancer
- whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
The prognosis for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney depends on:
- your child's age at the time of diagnosis
- the stage of the cancer
- whether the cancer has spread to the brain or spinal cord
The prognosis for clear cell sarcoma of the kidney depends on:
- your child's age at the time of diagnosis
- the stage of the cancer
No two people are alike, and responses to treatment can vary greatly. Your child's cancer care team is in the best position to talk with you about your child's prognosis.
Side effects and late effects of treatment
Cancer treatments can cause side effects. Which side effects your child has depends on the type of treatment they receive, the dose, and how their body reacts. Talk with your child's treatment team about which side effects to look for and ways to manage them.
To learn more about side effects that begin during treatment for cancer, visit Side Effects.
Problems from cancer treatment that begin 6 months or later after treatment and continue for months or years are called late effects. Late effects of cancer treatment may include:
- physical problems, such as trouble with exercise, mobility, strength, and flexibility
- chronic health conditions that could affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and hormone levels
- infertility or problems during pregnancy including high blood pressure, early labor, or the baby being in an unusual position as birth approaches
- neurological symptoms, such as changes in mood, feelings, thinking, learning, or memory
- second cancers (new types of cancer), such as leukemias, thyroid cancer, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, breast cancer, or skin cancer
Some late effects may be treated or controlled. It is important to talk with your child's doctors about the effects cancer treatment can have on your child. Learn more about Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer.
Follow-up care
As your child goes through treatment, they will have follow-up tests or check-ups. Some of the tests that they had to diagnose the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to continue, change, or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests.
Your child will continue to have some tests from time to time after treatment has ended. The results of these tests can show if your child's condition has changed or if the cancer has come back.
To learn more about follow-up tests, visit Tests to diagnose kidney cancer in children.
Coping with your child's kidney tumor
When your child has a kidney tumor, every member of the family needs support. Taking care of yourself during this difficult time is important. Reach out to your child’s treatment team and to people in your family and community for support. To learn more, visit Support for Families: Childhood Cancer and the booklet Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
Related resources
For more childhood cancer information and other general cancer resources, visit:
About This PDQ Summary
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Physician Data Query (PDQ) is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer information database. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries come in two versions. The health professional versions have detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions have cancer information that is accurate and up to date and most versions are also available in Spanish.
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