Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells in the kidney. Approximately 85% of renal cell cancers are adenocarcinomas, for the most part of proximal tubular origin. Most of the remainder are transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis
The Main Causes of Renal Cancer Research has indicated time and again that smokers are at high risk of RCC, but they cannot conclude that smoking is the actual cause of the disease. Recently, research conducted at the University of Southern California's Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that a combination of obesity and high blood pressure—known to increase RCC risk—are both associated with a process called lipid peroxidation.
Risk Factors While it is not known exactly what causes kidney cancer, researchers study patterns of cancer in the population to look for factors that are more common among people who develop cancer and those who do not. Following are some of the risk factors for kidney cancer: Age. Risk increases with age, and most cases occur in people age 50 -70. Being a man. Almost twice as many men develop kidney cancer than do women. Race. Somewhat more common among African American men than in white men.
Tobacco use. Smokers are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than nonsmokers. Risk increases the longer a person smokes. Obesity has been associated with a higher risk of kidney cancer among women. Reasons for possible link are unclear at this time. Radiation. Women who have been treated with radiation therapy for disorders of the uterus have a slightly elevated risk of developing kidney cancer. Dialysis. Patients on long-term use of dialysis to treat chronic kidney failure also experience an elevated risk. Von Hippel-Landau Disease (VHL). Genetic disorder seems to predispose some people to developing kidney, as well as other types of, cancer.
Symptoms Blood in urine (“hematuria”) Pain in the back just below the ribs A mass that can be felt Unexplained weight loss which can sometimes be rapid Intermittent fevers or night sweats Fatigue and lethargy Fever that is not associated with a cold or the flu Pain in other parts of the body if the cancer has spread
Diagnosis If a patient has symptoms that suggest kidney cancer, the doctor may perform one or more of the following procedures: Physical exam Urine tests Blood tests Intravenous pyelogram CT scan Ultrasound test Biopsy Surgery
Methods of treatment People with kidney cancer may have surgery, arterial embolization, radiation therapy, biological therapy, or chemotherapy. Some may have a combination of treatments. At any stage of disease, people with kidney cancer may have treatment to control pain and other symptoms, to relieve the side effects of therapy, and to ease emotional and practical problems. This kind of treatment is called supportive care, symptom management, or palliative care.
About 8300 adults die each year from kidney cancer. An estimated 18100 new cases are diagnosed each year, comprising 2% of all cancers. The average at diagnosis is 55 -60 years. Kidney cancer is the 8 th most common cancer in men and the 10 th most common cancer in women.