What Are the Stages of Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer?

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Robert J. Motzer, MD
Attending Physician

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

After your doctor completes all diagnostic tests and gets all the necessary tissue samples, the tumor gets a final stage and grade. Your doctor considers the tumor's stage when discussing treatment information concerning your cancer with you.

The following are simplified definitions of the various stages of kidney cancer:

• Stage I - the primary cancer is 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) or less and is found only in the kidney, with no spread to lymph nodes or distant areas (sites).
• Stage II - the primary cancer is larger than 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) and is found only in the kidney, with no spread to lymph nodes or distant areas.
• Stage III - the primary cancer, regardless of size, has spread beyond the kidney, but is still enclosed in the fat around the kidney; or has spread to blood vessels near the kidney; or has spread to one nearby lymph node.
• Stage IV - the primary cancer has spread to distant areas, has invaded directly beyond the local area, or involves more than one lymph node.
• Recurrent - means that cancer has returned after primary treatment, which is generally surgery.