Explaining the Differences Between Kidney Stones vs. Kidney Cancer

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | May 16, 2025

Kidney diseases have become increasingly common, raising concerns among patients about the nature of their illness. Since there are various types of kidney diseases that have similar symptoms and impact, they cause patients to worry about the severity of the condition and the accuracy of the diagnosis. However, knowing the difference between issues such as kidney stones and cancer can ensure a precise diagnosis and treatment route. In this article we will explain the difference between these two illnesses for a confident outlook.

Understanding Kidney Stones

Renal calculi, known commonly as kidney stones, are mineral or salt deposits that collect in the kidney when the organ is not functioning optimally. The concentration of urine, which causes the minerals like calcium or uric acid to stay behind in the kidneys, causes the minerals to crystallize into small stones, which cause immense pain and discomfort. There are multiple types of kidney stones, including calcium stones, uric acid stones, cystine stones, and more.

Calcium stones, as the name suggests, are calcium deposits made up of calcium oxalate and/or phosphate that collect in the kidneys. Uric acid stones are seen most commonly among individuals whose intake of protein is very high or who suffer from dehydration. Lack of water in the body leads to a higher concentration of uric acid, leading to the formation of these stones. Cystine stones are a very rare type of kidney stone and most commonly occur as a hereditary disease.

What are the Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones can occur because of several reasons, but the most common causes include high-protein diets, excessive intake of salt, dehydration, medicinal side effects, or genetic predisposition. If your family has a history of kidney stones, you are likely to get afflicted with the issue if proper care is not taken.

When a person suffers from kidney stones, they can experience distressing symptoms such as the following:

• Extreme and sharp pain in the back or the side of the body
• Hematuria or presence of blood in the urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain during urination
• Frequent feeling of urination
• Pain in the lower abdomen and groin region

A sharp, often cramp-like pain in the lower body, typically in the flank region, which radiates to the abdominal area, is a key sign of kidney stones.

Understanding Kidney Cancer

While the experience may be similar to a layperson, kidney cancer is an entirely different disease and a very serious one. It refers to the condition of the kidney cells growing rapidly and uncontrollably in an abnormal manner. This life-threatening disease can be of different types, the most common one being renal cell carcinoma, which is what 90 percent of kidney cancer patients suffer from. Apart from this type, Wilms tumor and transitional cell carcinoma are other types of kidney cancer impacting people. The Wilms tumor impacts children primarily.

Kidney cancer is the presence of a malignant tumor in the kidneys, which causes dull and continuous pain to the patient, which may increase gradually. The pain in this case is felt in the back side, also known as the flank area. However, since the lump cannot be felt by the patient, especially in the early stages, it is commonly mistaken for kidney stones unless proper diagnostics are run.

What are the Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer, too, has several distinctive causes. While family history of kidney cancer is a significant cause, alerting those with a genetic possibility to contract the issue, there are many other common reasons behind it as well. Individuals who smoke, are obese, suffer from high blood pressure, or are continually exposed to certain types of toxic chemicals such as herbicides are at a higher risk of getting kidney cancer. Apart from that, those suffering from kidney disease and getting dialysis for a long time are also at risk of getting kidney cancer.

A person who gets kidney cancer will see some common symptoms of the disease, including the following:

• Presence of blood in the urine (may or may not be visible to the naked eye)
• Fatigue
• Sudden weight loss without any reason
• Consistent and dull pain in the back or lower side region
• Onset of fever without any trace of infection
• A mass in the kidney area

One of the biggest differences between kidney stones and cancer is the kind of pain experienced by the patient. In the case of kidney cancer, the patient will suffer from a dull and persistent kind of pain, whereas with stones, the pain is sharp, such as that which one feels during cramps or feeling like getting stabbed. The presence of urine in the case of cancer can be microscopic, which makes it tricky for patients to suspect.

Expert Treatments at AINU

If you have been struggling with kidney-related issues, come visit us at AINU, Hyderabad. We understand the critical nature of the disease, whether it be stones or cancer, and the need for quick and conclusive diagnosis. For seamless kidney stone treatment in Hyderabad or cancer treatments in Hyderabad, you can trust AINU, Hyderabad. Equipped with experienced and highly skilled experts and state-of-the-art infrastructure, we make your journey, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery, hassle-free and empathic. Our experts provide personalized care, listen to your ailments, needs, and goals, and provide the most suitable course of action to effectively handle the disease with as little discomfort as possible. For more information, connect with us today.

Conclusion

Kidney issues can cause consistent and long-term challenges for patients, which can be exacerbated by misdiagnosis and improper treatment. The critical nature of kidney diseases and the important role this organ plays make it imperative to address issues as quickly as possible. For this, reaching the right experts in time is critical. It is also equally essential to know the difference between varied diseases to ensure you understand what the experts explain and are able to connect it with your condition.