Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer consists of a number of different kinds of cancer that affect the kidneys, depending on where and from which cells they develop. It is the twelfth most common kind of cancer in the world today, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. Here, we will look at some of the basics about renal cell carcinoma – what it is all about, what causes it, how is it diagnosed and treated.
What is kidney cancer?
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), also called renal parenchyma cancer, is the most common kind of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for over 80 percent of all recorded kidney cancer cases. RCC is a cancer of the kidneys that originates in the lining of tiny tubules inside the organ. Since most other kidney cancers originate in these tubules as well, kidney cancer itself is sometimes referred to as renal cancer.
Causes of kidney cancer
Although doctors have not yet been able to pinpoint to the exact causes of RCC, there are a few factors that can increase the risk of getting this cancer.
Symptoms of kidney cancer
Early stage RCC has almost no symptoms, but in later stages, you may notice:
Treatment options for kidney cancer
Some often used treatments are:
Treatment options depend on the prognosis of your RCC and could differ from person to person.
Kidney cancer consists of a number of different kinds of cancer that affect the kidneys, depending on where and from which cells they develop. It is the twelfth most common kind of cancer in the world today, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. Here, we will look at some of the basics about renal cell carcinoma – what it is all about, what causes it, how is it diagnosed and treated.
What is kidney cancer?
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), also called renal parenchyma cancer, is the most common kind of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for over 80 percent of all recorded kidney cancer cases. RCC is a cancer of the kidneys that originates in the lining of tiny tubules inside the organ. Since most other kidney cancers originate in these tubules as well, kidney cancer itself is sometimes referred to as renal cancer.
Causes of kidney cancer
Although doctors have not yet been able to pinpoint to the exact causes of RCC, there are a few factors that can increase the risk of getting this cancer.
- Smoking cigarettes and cigars could increase your risk of RCC to twice as much as that of a non-smoker.
- Obesity and the accompanying hormonal imbalances and changes could increase risks of RCC.
- High blood pressure is another risk factor, although it is yet unclear if it is the hypertension or the medication used for its treatment that increases risk.
- Long term dialysis in patients whose kidneys have completely stopped functioning are at a greater risk.
- Family history of RCC could mean that you are genetically inclined towards developing this cancer.
- Exposure to chemicals such as benzene, asbestos and cadmium, as well as certain herbicides and organic solvents is known to increase chances of getting RCC.
- Lymphoma patients are at an increased risk of RCC, although no one really knows why it is so.
- Men are more prone to RCC than women. Black people seem to be at a greater risk than other races of developing this cancer.
Symptoms of kidney cancer
Early stage RCC has almost no symptoms, but in later stages, you may notice:
- Chronic back pain just below the ribs
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Urine tinted with blood
- Fever
Treatment options for kidney cancer
Some often used treatments are:
- Partial, simple or radical nephrectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Biological therapy
- Arterial embolization
Treatment options depend on the prognosis of your RCC and could differ from person to person.