Tests And Next Steps

Main tests for kidney cancer

If your GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have kidney cancer, you'll usually have some tests and scans.

These may include:

an ultrasound scan
a CT scan
a cystoscopy - a camera is passed through the tube that carries pees out of your body (urethra) to look inside your bladder
using a needle to collect a small sample of cells from 1 of your kidneys (biopsy) for testing

Find out more

Getting your results

It can take several weeks to get the results of your tests.

Try not to worry if your results are taking a long time to get to you. It doesn't mean anything is definitely wrong.

You can call the hospital or GP if you are worried. They should be able to update you.

A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next. You may want to bring someone with you for support.

If you're told you have kidney cancer

Being told you have kidney cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.

It can help to bring someone with you to any appointments you have.

A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.

You can ask them any questions you have.

Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline that's open every day from 8am to 8pm.

They are there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about.

Call: 0808 808 00 00

Next steps

If you've been told you have kidney cancer, you may need more tests, such as:

scans, like an MRI scan or CT scan
a chest X-ray
a bone scan to see if the cancer has spread

These, along with the tests you've already had, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it's spread (called the stage).

You may need a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy.

The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.

Find out more

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.