In stage 2 the tumor has spread into the fatty tissue surrounding the kidneys. Stage 3 consists of local spreading or metastasizing into the renal vein or lymph nodes. In stage 4 you may see spreading or metastasizing into the lungs or bones, but other areas such as the liver, spleen, or brain may also be involved. The next step for your mother is to see what stage the tumor is in. Blood in the urine is the most frequent sign of renal cell carcinoma.
Blood can come and go, causing a patient to delay seeing a physician.
Unless the patient is a poor surgical candidate or the cancer has spread, the diseased kidney is removed through surgery. Following surgery, radiation therapy may be prescribed. Chemotherapy has not yet proven effective for this type of cancer. The prognosis depends on how soon the tumor is caught and how extensive its spread. Be supportive of your mom during this period because she may need help keeping her spirits up.