Kidney Problems – Kidney Stones & Kidney Cancer

Diagnosis, Treatment & Recovery

Kidney problems are a common reason men and women seek urological care. At Urology Bay of Plenty, we specialise in diagnosing and treating the two most common kidney conditions:

Kidney Stones

painful mineral deposits that can block urine flow

Kidney Cancer

tumours affecting kidney function, often detected early
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing pain, infection, and long-term kidney damage.

Kidney Stones Symptoms

Kidney stones may cause sudden, severe symptoms, including:

Sharp flank or lower back pain

Pain radiating to the groin or genitals

Blood in urine (haematuria)

Nausea or vomiting

Frequent urination or urgency

Some small stones may pass unnoticed but can still cause recurring pain or kidney damage.

Diagnosis

Specialist diagnosis typically includes:

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Urine and blood tests – detect infection or kidney function issues

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Ultrasound or CT scan – locate and measure stones

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Medical history review – identify risk factors such as dehydration or family history

Treatment

Treatment depends on stone size and location:

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Conservative management – hydration, pain relief, and medications for small stones

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Minimally invasive procedures:

  • Ureteroscopy & laser lithotripsy – fragment or remove stones
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy – for larger or complex stones
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) – non-invasive stone fragmentation

Post-Treatment Care

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Most patients resume normal activity within days

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Follow-up imaging ensures no residual stones

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Lifestyle guidance reduces recurrence risk

Frequently Asked Questions (Kidney Stones)

What are the common symptoms of kidney stones?
Kidney stones often cause sharp back or side pain, pain radiating to the groin, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination. Some small stones may cause no symptoms but can still lead to kidney damage if untreated.
How are kidney stones diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically includes urine and blood tests, ultrasound or CT scans, and a review of medical history to identify risk factors such as dehydration, diet, or family history.

How are kidney stones treated?

Treatment depends on stone size and location. Options include hydration and pain management, medications, ureteroscopy or laser lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or ESWL.

Can kidney stones come back?

Yes. Recurrence is common. Preventive measures include hydration, dietary adjustments, and regular urologist check-ups.

When should I see a urologist for kidney stones?

Seek care if you experience severe pain, blood in urine, fever, nausea, or difficulty urinating.

Kidney Cancer Symptoms

Kidney cancer can be silent in early stages. Symptoms may include:

Blood in urine (haematuria)

Abdominal swelling or mass

Persistent flank or back pain

Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or fever

Many cases are found incidentally during imaging for unrelated issues.

Diagnosis

Specialist evaluation includes:

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Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans – assess size and location of kidney tumors

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Blood and urine tests – evaluate kidney function

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Biopsy – confirms cancer type in selected cases

Treatment

Treatment depends on tumour size, location, and patient health:

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Partial nephrectomy – removes tumour while preserving kidney tissue

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Radical nephrectomy – removes the affected kidney

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Surgery may be minimally invasive or robot-assisted for precision and faster recovery

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Targeted therapy or immunotherapy for advanced or metastatic cancer

Post-Treatment Care

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Recovery depends on type of surgery and patient health

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Regular follow-up imaging and blood tests monitor for recurrence

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Most patients return to normal activity within weeks to months

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Long-term kidney health monitoring is recommended

Frequently Asked Questions (Kidney Cancer)

What are the early signs of kidney cancer?

Symptoms may include blood in urine, persistent flank pain, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or fever. Some cancers are found incidentally on imaging.

How is kidney cancer diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans, blood and urine tests, and sometimes a biopsy.

What are the treatment options for kidney cancer?

Options include partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, minimally invasive or robot-assisted surgery, and targeted or immunotherapy for advanced cases.

How long does recovery take after kidney cancer surgery?

Most patients resume normal activity within weeks to months, depending on surgery type. Regular follow-up is critical.

Can kidney cancer be prevented?

Not all kidney cancers are preventable, but early detection, lifestyle management, and regular check-ups improve outcomes.

When to See a Specialist

Seek specialist assessment if you experience:

  • Severe, persistent back or side pain
  • Blood in urine
  • Nausea, vomiting, or fever
  • Difficulty urinating or sudden reduction in urine output
  • Family history of kidney stones or kidney cancer

Early intervention improves outcomes and prevents long-term kidney damage.

Why Choose Urology BOP

Patients benefit from:

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Specialist assessment of sexual dysfunction in men and women

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Comprehensive testing for hormonal, vascular, neurological, and psychological factors

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Personalised treatment plans using medications, minimally invasive devices, hormone therapy, and counselling

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Long-term follow-up to monitor outcomes and maintain sexual health

Specialist Care

Urology Bay of Plenty provides expert diagnosis and treatment for prostate and urinary conditions, including advanced minimally invasive procedures.

If symptoms are affecting your quality of life, a urology consultation can help determine the best treatment.

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