Prognosis and duration
Kidney cancer be staged using the number staging or TNM staging systems. The table below shows the equivalent stages of both systems and the likely outcome of treatment by stage of disease.
Note: This guidance does not cover Wilms tumour (a type of kidney cancer) and any such cases in adults must be discussed with Medical Services.
| Number stage | Equivalent TNM stage | Expected outcome of treatment |
|---|---|---|
|
Stage 1 – the tumour is small and has not spread out from the kidney |
T1 N0 M0 |
Treatment is often curative and a return to health is expected |
|
Stage 2 – the tumour is large but has not spread outside the kidney |
T2 N0 M0 |
Treatment is often curative and a return to health is expected |
|
Stage 3 – the cancer has spread outside the kidney into the adrenal gland, the renal vein or into one lymph node near the kidney |
T3a N0 M0 and T3b N0 M0 |
T3a N0 M0 and T3b N0 M0 Treatment is often curative and a return to health is expected. |
|
T1 or T2 or T3 and N1 M0 T3 N0 M0 T3a N1 M0 T3b N1 M0 T3c N0 or N1 M0 |
TNM stages in this group are rarely cured by treatment, a return to health after treatment often occurs but disease tends to recur. |
|
|
Stage 4 – the cancer is locally advanced – has invaded surrounding structures or has metastasised |
T4 N0 or N1 M0 Any T and N2 M0 Any T any N and M1 |
This group has a poor outcome; unless metastasis is very limited and treated by surgery – see ‘operations for metastatic disease’ in the treatment section. |
Once treatment of early disease is complete typically there are no long term disabling effects.
Advanced disease and recurrent disease have a poor outcome and most will be terminally ill. Needs are likely to increase over time and recovery is not expected. Indefinite awards are recommended
| Impairment | Period of Award |
|---|---|
|
Stages 1 to 3 (see table above) If treatment of early disease completed. |
1 year award |
|
Stages 3 (see table above) & 4 If disease is advanced / recurrent |
Indefinite Award |
All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.
Amended October 2011
