To diagnose kidney cancer, the patient's personal and family medical history and is taken and a thorough physical examination is conducted. In addition to checking temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other general signs of health, the doctor usually orders blood and urine tests and may do one or more of the exams described below (if transitional cell carcinoma is suspected, other tests may be used).

An IVP (intravenous pyelogram) is a test that lets the doctor see the kidneys, ureters, and bladder on x-rays. The x-rays are taken after an injection of dye that shows up on the x-ray film.

A CT (or CAT) scan is another x-ray procedure that gives detailed pictures of cross-sections of the body. The pictures are created by a computer.

Ultrasound is a test that sends high-frequency sound waves, which cannot be heard by humans, into the kidney. The pattern of echoes produced by these waves creates a picture called a sonogram. Healthy tissues, cysts, and tumors produce different echoes.

An arteriogram is a series of x-rays of blood vessels. Dye is injected into a large blood vessel through a narrow tube called a catheter. X-rays show the dye as it moves through the network of smaller blood vessels around and in the kidney.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a very strong magnet linked to a computer to create pictures of cross-sections of the kidney.

A nephrotomogram is a series of x-rays of cross-sections of the kidney. The x-rays are taken from several angles before and after injection of a dye that outlines the kidney.

If these tests suggest that a tumor is present, the doctor may confirm the diagnosis with a biopsy. A thin needle is inserted into the tumor to withdraw a sample of tissue. The tissue is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to check for cancer cells.

When a diagnosis of kidney cancer is made, it is important to know the extent, or stage, of the disease. Because kidney cancer can spread to the bones, lungs, liver, or brain, staging procedures may include special x-rays and tests to check these organs.