Possible treatments
Understanding metastatic kidney cancer
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like faraway lymph nodes or other organs, it is called metastatic kidney cancer. In metastatic kidney cancer, the tumour in the kidney is the primary tumour. Tumours in other organs are called metastases.
When kidney cancer spreads (metastasises), it usually goes to the lungs, bones, lymph nodes, or brain. Doctors use imaging scans to see where the cancer has spread – when it is first found and during follow-up visits after treatment. Sometimes, spread is found because symptoms appear.
Lymph nodes are small lumps of tissue that have white blood cells which fight infections.
This chapter contains general information about metastatic kidney cancer. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for guidance on your individual medical situation.
Last updated: July 2026
Reviewed by (2026 update):
- Ms. Rose Woodward (EAU Guidelines Panel on Renal Cell Cancer)
- Dr. Stephanie Bonn (EAU Guidelines Panel on Renal Cell Cancer)