Is a nodule in your kidney always kidney cancer? my sister has a small nodule in her kidney. does this mean she has cancer?

Kidney mass: It depends on the characteristics of this "nodule". If it is truly a solid lesion and not a cyst, it most likely is a small renal cancer. Most small renal lesions can be treated with either thermal ablation, surgical excision or partial nephrectomy. Depends on size, position and surgeon's experience and preferences.

Not always: In addition to kidney cancer, there are a few types of benign (noncancerous) tumors that form a solid nodule in the kidney, such as angiomyolipoma or oncocytoma. Angiomyolipoma can often be diagnosed by imaging since it usually contains fat.