There are four stages of kidney cancer. The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread. Kidney cancer staging uses the TNM system—T for the extent of the tumor, N for whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and M for metastasis if there's been a spread to the adrenal glands, distant lymph nodes, or other organs such as the lungs. The information from tests, scans, and biopsies enables healthcare professionals to stage cancer.
At stage I of kidney cancer, the tumor is less than 2.8 inches and is confined to the kidney. But by stage III, the focus isn't on the tumor's size but on the fact that it's spread to close lymph nodes or blood vessels. Stage I kidney cancer might not necessitate immediate treatment unless active surveillance shows the tumor has grown.
At stage 4, the spread may mean that surgery is no longer a treatment option.

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