Why is renal cancer called the “internist’s tumor”?

Renal cancer is called the “internist’s tumor” because it is a tumor that is most often found in people who have no symptoms and who go to their internist for a routine physical examination.

Renal cancer is typically asymptomatic in its early stages, and many people with renal cancer are not diagnosed until the tumor has grown quite large. By that time, the cancer may have metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, renal cancer is often not detected until it is in an advanced stage, which reduces the likelihood of a successful treatment.