Gabrielle Union recently opened up about the “traumatic” experience her family went through in 2023 when her husband, retired NBA star Dwyane Wade, underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his kidney that was later determined to be cancerous.

The actor discussed Wade’s diagnosis and health journey during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of “Today.” She said that the Hall of Famer’s diagnosis took a toll on Wade, their marriage and their entire family, and that the basketball legend was at some points “a little more hesitant” to be vulnerable during his healing journey.

“He needed to be OK with his vulnerability, and it was a challenge,” she said. “It was a challenge to give grace and receive it.”

Wade revealed last month on his podcast, “The Why with Dwyane Wade,” that he went to the doctor for a checkup, and while he was there he told his provider that he had “some stomach issues,” and that he noticed his urine stream wasn’t “powerful.”

He said doctors performed a “full-body scan” and discovered he had a tumor on one of his kidneys. He said his doctor said they couldn’t perform a biopsy, and he would need surgery on his kidney.

After receiving the same recommendation from a number of other doctors, Wade underwent surgery in December 2023 and had 40% of his kidney removed, he said. Doctors later discovered that the tumor was cancerous.

“Thank God that I did do the surgery,” Wade said on his podcast.

Read on for more information about kidney tumors and what you should know about potential symptoms.

What is a kidney tumor?

A kidney tumor is a mass or abnormal growth of tissue that forms on your kidney. Kidney tumors, which are also called renal tumors, could either be cancerous or noncancerous, the Cleveland Clinic states.

The Cleveland Clinic also notes that about 75% of kidney tumors are usually cancerous, and tumors that aren’t cancerous are usually smaller — less than 1.6 inches. Most larger tumors on the kidney are cancerous and “often grow quickly and may spread to other parts of your body,” the nonprofit states.

The Mayo Clinic explains that cancer cells in one’s kidney form a tumor, which can “grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue.” Cancer cells can then break away and spread to other parts of the body, which is called metastatic cancer.

What are the signs?

Many people with kidney tumors may not have pain or have any noticeable symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some people may receive a diagnosis after getting tests for other health conditions.

But if you do experience symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic states that you may have blood in your pee, pain in your lower back, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fever, anemia, or pain between your hips and ribs.

Can you reduce your risk of kidney cancer? How is a tumor diagnosed?

There’s no sure way to prevent kidney cancer, the Mayo Clinic states. But there are some ways you may be able to help prevent it, such as drinking alcohol in moderation, maintaining a healthy diet that includes more fruits and vegetables, exercise, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

If you have symptoms of a kidney tumor, your health care provider may conduct a physical examination, and they may order certain tests, including an imaging test, a blood test or a urine test. In some cases, the Cleveland Clinic says that your doctor may order a renal mass biopsy, but that “renal mass biopsies aren’t always reliable, so a provider may not recommend this test.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with a kidney tumor, your doctor’s treatment plan — which can include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy or active surveillance — will depend on the size of the tumor and whether it’s cancerous or not.

As always, talk to your health care provider about any concerns you may have about your health. Remember, it’s always a good idea to get a regular checkup — even if you believe you’re healthy.