Kidney cancer clinically tends to metastasize through direct spread, the lymphatic pathway, and the hematogenous pathway.

The lymphatic route often involves enlargement of the perirenal lymph nodes or the lymph nodes in the groin or retroperitoneum. Kidney cancer is also prone to metastasize to the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts via the bloodstream. Similarly, kidney cancer can spread to the perirenal area, ureters, bladder, and other parts through direct extension. Once kidney cancer metastasizes to other organs, it is considered to be in the advanced stages clinically, and treatment primarily involves targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and other comprehensive treatment measures, with surgical treatment not being used as the primary anti-tumor treatment. Once kidney cancer has metastasized, the clinical staging is late, and the prognosis for the patients is poor.