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Kidney cancer recurrence can sometimes happen after a patient who has been previously diagnosed and treated for kidney cancer has completed initial treatment and experienced a period of time during which no cancer is detected. While the goal of any treatment is to eliminate kidney cancer from the body, cancer cells can sometimes go undetected, migrate to a different part of the body or develop anew later on. Recurrence is one of the most commonly expressed fears of patients who have been treated for kidney cancer.

The possibility of cancer recurrence isn’t necessarily limited to the kidneys themselves – in some cases, the disease may appear in a different part of the body, which is known as “metastasis.”

The multispecialty kidney cancer team at Moffitt Cancer Center monitors cancer patients for recurrence through a variety of means, including:

  • Physical examinations
  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests
  • CT scans
  • MRIs

Although kidney cancer recurrence tends to happen most often within the first three years after treatment, it has been known to happen many years later. Every occurrence of kidney cancer is unique, and so is every instance of the cancer’s recurrence. With access to the most advanced surgical techniques, medicines and other treatment strategies, the Urologic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center is equipped to treat any cancer recurrence.

Our dedicated professionals are committed to studying the latest kidney cancer information and offering clinical trials for innovative treatments that are not available elsewhere.

Medically reviewed by Brandon Manley, MD, Department of Genitourinary Oncology.

Call 1-888-663-3488 or fill out a new patient registration form online to learn more about kidney cancer recurrence, preventative measures you can take and the many ways in which we can help you combat the cancer if it does reappear. We never require a referral to speak with one of our oncologists specializing in kidney cancer.