Kidney cancer can be diagnosed in the early stages as well as in the advanced stages. Naturally, the chances of complete remission are quite high especially if the cancer happens to be diagnosed in the early stages of development. Here are a few diagnostic measures that are mainly used to test your body for the presence of cancer, in and around your kidney.

1. Diagnostic tests for kidney cancer
If you continue to experience physical symptoms such as blood in your urine or a lump in the side of your abdomen, then it is advised that you schedule a visit to your doctor at the earliest. On physical examination, your doctor would carry out the following tests to check for the presence of cancer cells in and around your kidney.

2. Blood and urine tests
Your physician would recommend both blood and urine tests. He would then test your blood sample for red blood cells, and urine for the presence of cancer cells. With tests such as urine cytology, your doctor should be able to locate the presence of cancer cells in your urine.

3. Biopsy
Your physician may recommend a biopsy especially if you have a growth in and around your abdomen. He would administer a general anesthesia, before extracting a small sample for study and microanalysis. Based on the analysis, your doctor would diagnose and identify the type of cancer cells as well. He would then recommend additional tests as well as a course of treatment. Please note that there are various types of kidney cancers and your doctor would need to conduct additional tests to determine the right course of treatment for your current condition.

4. Computed tomography or CAT scan
The CAT scan is an imaging test that takes X-rays from various angles and then recombines the image into a three-dimensional representation of the inner body area. The scan should help identify the presence of any tumors or growth in and around your kidney area; it should also be noted that before a CAT scan is conducted, a contrast dye is usually injected into the target area. This dye helps to highlight any abnormalities in the body, such as tumors, cysts, malignant growths, etc. You may also want to note that dyes are normally not used for patients who have been diagnosed with advanced stages of kidney cancer.

5. X-rays
X-rays are utilized in diagnosing the presence of tumors or growths on the inside of your body. The imaging is just like every other X-ray and the process is simple enough.

6. MRI scan
MRI scan or magnetic resonance imaging, is not based on X-rays, and provides a clear picture of the target area and highlights any abnormalities right away. Your doctor would first inject a dye called gadolinium, which enables your physician to obtain a clear image. The MRI scan should help him diagnose kidney cancer accurately, and moreover, the MRI should also provide him with the size of the tumor/ growth as well.

7. Cystoscopy and nephron-ureteroscopy
This test is usually carried out for pelvic cancer; the procedure mainly consists of inserting a small tube into the bladder area where a section of the tumor is extracted for further study and analysis.

These are some of the ways through which your physician can diagnose kidney cancer accurately.