Stages, types and grades of kidney cancer
Your doctor arranges some tests for you. These tell them more about the kidney cancer. This incudes what sort of kidney cell the cancer started in (type). And how much the cancer cells look like normal cells (grade).
The tests also show your doctor how big the cancer is and if it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer. Doctors use either the number staging system or the TNM system to describe kidney cancer.
Your doctor uses the stage of the cancer to help decide on the best treatment for you.
Types and grades of kidney cancer
The type of kidney cancer tells your doctor what sort of cell it started in. The grade tells them how much the cells look like normal cells. Knowing the type and grade of kidney cancer helps your doctor decide which treatment you need.
Number stages of kidney cancer
Your doctor might use a number staging system for kidney cancer. This describes how big it is and how far it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage of cancer and stage 4 is the most advanced.
TNM stages of kidney cancer
Your doctor might use the TNM staging system for kidney cancer. This describes how big it is and how far it has spread. TNM stands for Tumour, Node and Metastasis.
Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer
Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer is a rare type of cancer of the lining of the kidney or ureter. Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer can start in a part of the kidney called the renal pelvis. Or it can start in the ureters.
