Brad Arnold, 47, the lead singer of “3 Doors Down,” says he remains strong and optimistic during treatment for stage 4 kidney cancer, crediting his deep faith for helping him stay grounded and encouraged.
Arnold revealed his diagnosis publicly in the Spring of last year and has been undergoing treat although specific details have been kept private.
In the early stages, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, what a patient experiences can differ widely, but blood in the urine, Lower back pain on one side, and fatigue are known symptoms according to the National Cancer Institute.
Though surgery is often the primary approach for treating kidney tumors, SurvivorNet experts say a range of treatment approaches exist based on the specifics of the diagnosis, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
Arnold, leaning on his faith, is common among patients. A study published in Cancer includes data that found “69% of cancer patients reported praying for their health” compared to “only 45% of the general U.S. population.”
Brad Arnold, 47, the lead singer of “3 Doors Down,” is drawing deeply on his faith as he navigates treatment for stage 4 kidney cancer. Despite the seriousness of his diagnosis, the voice behind hits like “Here Without You” and “Kryptonite” says he’s feeling strong and uplifted. During concerts, the popular rock singer doesn’t shy away from sharing how the love of God has helped him personally, professionally, and in his cancer journey.
“I’m doin’ great, fam! Almost every day, I feel a little better. Things seem to be going great,” Arnold shared.
For many people facing cancer, faith becomes an anchor as they’re facing headwinds of treatment, treatment side effects, and the physical and emotional toll that comes with it all.
Research published in Cancer shows that nearly 70% of patients pray for their health—far more than the general population. Arnold has long been open about the role spirituality plays in his life, and during a recent concert, he spoke candidly about the strength he draws from it.
“With so much faith behind me and my own faith within me, I have no doubt of the outcome of this fight. God will continue to fight this battle for me … and God doesn’t fail,” he told fans. The singer would openly profess his faith during his concerts, which are still ongoing.
Arnold first revealed his diagnosis last year, explaining in an Instagram video that the cancer had spread to his lung. He also announced he would be stepping back from scheduled performances to focus fully on his health.
Kidney cancer affects tens of thousands of Americans each year—an estimated 81,610 new cases are expected in 2025, according to the National Cancer Institute. The disease can develop in both adults and children, and early symptoms are often subtle or absent. Common signs may include blood in the urine, fatigue, weight loss, persistent fever, and lower back pain on one side.
Brad Arnold on ‘FOX and Friends’ outside of FOX Studios in New York City on July 29.
Through it all, Arnold says his faith remains unwavering. “We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear,” he said.
In the early stages, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, what a patient experiences can differ widely depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location. Below are some potential symptoms and side effects that individuals with kidney cancer might encounter:
Blood in the urine
Lower back pain on one side
Tiredness and fatigue
Weight loss
Reduced appetite
Lumps or growths on the lower back or the side
High temperature and fever that doesn’t seem to go away
Anemia: low counts of red blood cells
Surgery is often the primary approach for treating kidney tumors, with the goal of fully removing the cancer. However, this option is typically considered when the tumor is still localized—meaning it’s a manageable size and hasn’t spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. There are several types of surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer, including:
Radical nephrectomy
Partial nephrectomy
Cytoreductive nephrectomy
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery
Mastectomy
Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer: What You Should Know
Kidney cancer can be treated through a range of approaches—each designed to target cancer cells in different ways. Your care team will help determine the best path forward based on your diagnosis, overall health, and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of key treatment options:
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This minimally invasive procedure uses a needle inserted directly into the tumor. Electric currents and radiofrequency waves heat and destroy the cancerous tissue from within.
Cryoablation: In this technique, extremely cold probes are placed into the tumor to freeze and kill cancer cells. It’s often used for small tumors or patients who aren’t candidates for surgery.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, or surviving. While kidney cancer is often resistant to traditional chemotherapy, certain drugs may be used in specific cases or in combination with other therapies.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy particles or waves are used to damage and destroy cancer cells. The two main types are:
External Beam Radiation: Delivered from outside the body, targeting the tumor with precision.
Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): Places radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor.
Immunotherapy: This innovative approach activates your immune system to better detect and attack cancer cells. Treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors help the body overcome cancer’s defenses and mount a stronger response.
Targeted Therapy: These drugs zero in on specific genes or proteins that fuel cancer growth. One notable example is belzutifan (Welireg), approved by the FDA in August 2021 for patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related kidney cancers. Belzutifan blocks a protein called HIF-2α, which normally supplies oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells—cutting off this pathway can shrink tumors significantly.
Combination Therapy: In many cases, doctors may recommend a blend of treatments—such as immunotherapy paired with targeted therapy—to increase effectiveness and tailor care to your unique needs.
WATCH: Immunotherapy Needs to be Tailored
The Immunotherapy Offering Kidney Cancer Patients Hope
The immunotherapy drug Keytruda is approved to treat some types of kidney cancer. Immunotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment option that uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight the cancer after a bit of reengineering in a lab. The drug’s approval stemmed from the KEYNOTE-564 trial.
“The goal (of the study) was to see if (the drug) can prevent kidney cancer coming back,” Dr. Toni Choueiri, director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and lead author of the study, tells SurvivorNet. (The study itself was supported by pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. and conceived by Dr. Choueiri and some co-authors.)
Keytruda was approved for the adjuvant treatment (additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment) of patients with renal cell carcinoma at an intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection (removal) of metastatic lesions.
A Note on Side Effects and Shared Decision-Making
While these treatments offer hope, they can also come with side effects that impact your body and daily life. That’s why it’s essential to have open, honest conversations with your doctor. Together, you can weigh the risks and benefits, explore supportive care options, and choose a treatment plan that aligns with your values and goals.
What to Know About Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL) has been linked to the onset of many types of benign and malignant tumors, including a 60% risk of getting kidney cancer.
VHL is a rare genetic condition that happens as a result of VHL gene impairment (either gene deletion or mutation) and can cause several types of tumors to grow in different areas of the body. These tumors can be benign or malignant.
Using Faith as a Tool for Healing
A study published in Cancer highlights the powerful role of faith in the lives of cancer patients, revealing that 69% of those diagnosed with cancer reported praying for their health, compared to 45% of the general U.S. population.
Together, they emphasize the deep emotional and psychological support that faith provides to those battling illness.
According to Kneier and Silberman, spirituality offers a powerful coping mechanism, helping individuals navigate the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
“A person’s faith or spirituality provides a means for coping with illness and reaching a deeper kind of inner healing,” they explain.
Faith helps patients in multiple ways, including:
Seeking answers to the difficult questions illness presents.
Finding comfort in the midst of fear and pain.
Gaining a sense of direction during an overwhelming and uncertain time.
Religious teachings, they argue, can serve as a guidepost, offering strength and resilience when navigating the emotional and physical challenges of cancer.
WATCH: Three-time cancer survivor shares how her faith helped her during cancer.
New York City Presbyterian Pastor Tom Evans tells SurvivorNet about the importance of finding ways to cope with the complex web of feelings you may be experiencing after a challenging health diagnosis, such as cancer.
“It’s important to reach out in a simple prayer to God, even if you’ve never prayed before, you don’t know what to say, a heartfelt plea, ‘God, help me, be with me,’” Pastor Evans told SurvivorNet.
“You can reach out to God, and you can reach out to people, your friends and family, and say, ‘I can’t do this on my own. I need you.’ “It’s in that willingness to be open and to receive that we can find something deeper that we never would’ve encountered without this hardship,” Evans continued
Questions For Your Doctor
If you are faced with kidney cancer or you are caring for a loved one who is, here are some questions you can ask your care team to ensure you are getting the best treatment possible.
What treatment options are available for my specific type and stage of kidney cancer, and how do they differ?
What are the potential benefits and risks of each treatment, including surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy?
How will treatment affect my daily life?
Are there clinical trials that might be appropriate for my situation?
How will we monitor whether the treatment is working, and what are the next steps if it isn’t?
