Kidney disease and age: what to know

Kidney function can change with long-term conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, repeated infections, inherited disorders, medicines, or blockage. Some kidney cancers are found in adults, but a kidney lump or abnormal blood test has several possible explanations. Clinicians consider age alongside symptoms, family history, smoking history, blood pressure, previous scans, urine findings, and measures of kidney filtration. Children and younger adults may need particular attention to inherited conditions or structural problems, while older adults may have several health issues that affect testing and treatment choices. The same symptom can have different causes in different people.

Book a clinical review for persistent swelling, changes in urine, ongoing flank pain, repeated infections, or a blood test that shows reduced kidney function. Bring previous results and a complete medicine list, including over-the-counter pain medicines and supplements. Assessment may include blood pressure measurement, urine testing, kidney blood tests, and imaging. If imaging identifies a tumour, treatment could involve [Kidney Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/nephrectomy/) or [Tumour Ablation](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-ablation/); selected cancers may be treated with [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/) or [Targeted Therapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/targeted-therapy/).

Get urgent help for very little or no urine, severe breathlessness, confusion, fainting, severe flank pain, or fever with shaking chills. Seek prompt assessment for visible blood in urine, rapidly worsening swelling, or repeated vomiting. These signs can indicate infection, obstruction, bleeding, or kidney failure and do not identify cancer by themselves. If symptoms are mild but persistent, arrange an appointment rather than waiting for them to disappear.

Which part of my kidney health needs checking? Could my medicines affect kidney function? Do I need urine tests or imaging? Is family history relevant? If a mass is present, how will you distinguish it from a cyst? How often should results be reviewed?