Description

Kidney cancer is a growth of cells that begins in the kidneys. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. Are located behind the abdominal organs, with one kidney on each side of the spine.

In adults, renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Other, less common types of kidney cancer can occur. Young children are more likely to develop a type of kidney cancer called Wilms ' tumor.

The number of kidney cancers diagnosed each year it seems to be on the increase. One reason for this may be the fact that imaging techniques such as ct scans are used most often. These tests can lead to the incidental discovery of most cancers of the kidney. Kidney cancer is often found when the cancer is small and confined to the kidney.

Symptoms

Kidney cancer usually does not cause symptoms in the beginning. At the time, the signs and symptoms may develop, including:

  • Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red or cola-colored.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Pain in the side or the back that does not go away.
  • Fatigue.
  • Unexplained weight loss.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

It is not clear what the cause of the majority of kidney cancers.

Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes, to tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. At the time, cancer cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of kidney cancer include:

  • Advanced age. The risk of kidney cancer increases with age.
  • The smoking of tobacco. People who smoke have a higher risk of kidney cancer than those who do not. The risk decreases after quitting smoking.
  • Obesity. People who are obese have a higher risk of kidney cancer that people who are considered to have a healthy weight.
  • The high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, increases the risk of kidney cancer.
  • Certain inherited conditions. People who are born with certain inherited conditions may have a higher risk of kidney cancer. These conditions may include von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma and familial renal cancer.
  • Family history of kidney cancer. The risk of kidney cancer is higher if a blood relative, such as a father or brother has had the disease.

Prevention

There is No sure way to prevent kidney cancer, but you can reduce your risk if you:

Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be harmful.

Exercise most days of the week

Try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you haven't been active lately, ask your health care professional if you feel well and start slowly.

Maintain a healthy weight

If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, consult with a health care professional about the healthy ways to lose your weight. Eating fewer calories, and gradually increase the amount of exercise.

Stop smoking

Talk with your health care team about the strategies and aids that can help you stop smoking. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups. If you've never smoked, don't start.

Control of high blood pressure

Ask your health care provider to check your blood pressure at your next appointment. If your blood pressure is high, you may discuss the options for the reduction of their numbers. Lifestyle measures such as exercise, weight loss, and diet changes can help. Some people may need to add medications to lower your blood pressure. Discuss your options with your health care team.

Diagnosis

The kidney cancer diagnosis often begins with a physical examination and a review of your health history. Blood and urine tests, as well as imaging tests may be used. A tissue sample may be taken for laboratory testing.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose kidney cancer include:

Blood and urine tests

An analysis of blood and urine may give your health care team clues about what is causing your symptoms. Blood tests can check for the number of red blood cells in the body. Urine tests can search for substances in the urine, such as blood, bacteria and cancer cells.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests create pictures of the body. You can show the location and size of a kidney cancer. The tests may include ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For kidney cancer, a thin needle is inserted in the kidney or in another part of the body, such as lymph nodes. A healthcare professional uses the needle to remove a sample of tissue. A biopsy may not be necessary if the imaging tests show sufficient information to make a diagnosis.

The staging of kidney cancer

If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, the next step is to determine the cancer of the measure, called the stage. Your healthcare team uses the stage of the cancer, the results of the test to help you to create your treatment plan. Essay test for kidney cancer can include CT and MRI scans.

The stages of kidney cancer in the range of 1 to 4. Stage 1 kidney cancer is small and confined to the kidney. As the cancer grows, the stages get more. A stage 4 kidney cancer has grown beyond the kidney or spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment

Kidney cancer treatment often begins with surgery to remove the cancer. For cancer confined to the kidneys, this can be the only treatment needed. Sometimes the medication is usually given after surgery to decrease the risk that the cancer will come back. If the cancer has spread beyond the kidney, surgery may not be possible. Other treatments may be recommended.

Your health care team takes into account many factors when creating a treatment plan. These factors can include your general health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences.

Surgery

For the majority of cancers are confined to the kidney, surgery is the first treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer while preserving renal function, when possible. Operations is used to treat kidney cancer include:

  • Removal of the affected kidney.A complete nephrectomy, also known as the radical nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney, and a border of healthy tissue that surrounds it. The nearby tissues, such as lymph nodes, adrenal glands or other structures can also be removed. The surgeon may perform a nephrectomy through a single incision in the abdomen or side, called an open nephrectomy. The surgeon can also use a series of small incisions in the abdomen, known as laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.
  • The removal of the cancer of the kidney.Partial nephrectomy involves removing the cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it, instead of the entire kidney. This procedure is also called kidney-sparing or conservative surgery. Can be performed as an open procedure, laparoscopically or with robotic assistance. Kidney-sparing surgery is a common treatment for small kidney cancers and may be an option if you have only one kidney. When possible, the kidneys, nephron-sparing surgery is usually preferred over a complete nephrectomy to preserve kidney function. You can also reduce the risk of later complications, such as kidney disease and the need for dialysis.

Removal of the affected kidney. A complete nephrectomy, also known as the radical nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney, and a border of healthy tissue that surrounds it. The nearby tissues, such as lymph nodes, adrenal glands or other structures can also be removed.

The surgeon may perform a nephrectomy through a single incision in the abdomen or side, called an open nephrectomy. The surgeon can also use a series of small incisions in the abdomen, known as laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.

The removal of the cancer of the kidney. Partial nephrectomy involves removing the cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it, instead of the entire kidney. This procedure is also called kidney-sparing or conservative surgery. Can be performed as an open procedure, laparoscopically or with robotic assistance.

Kidney-sparing surgery is a common treatment for small kidney cancers and may be an option if you have only one kidney. When possible, the kidneys, nephron-sparing surgery is usually preferred over a complete nephrectomy to preserve kidney function. You can also reduce the risk of later complications, such as kidney disease and the need for dialysis.

The type of surgery that is based on their cancer and its stage, as well as your health in general.

Cryoablation

Cryoablation is a treatment to freeze the cancer cells. During cryoablation, a special hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the kidney cancer using ultrasound and / or other orientation of the image. The cold gas in the needle that is used to freeze the cancer cells.

Cryoablation can treat small kidney cancers in certain situations. Can be used in people who have other health problems that make surgery risky.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment to the heat of the cancer cells. During radiofrequency ablation, a special probe is inserted through the skin and into the kidney cancer using ultrasound or other imaging tests to guide the placement of the probe. An electrical current runs through the needle and into the cancer cells. This causes the cells to heat or burn.

Radiofrequency ablation can treat small kidney cancers in certain situations. Can be used in people who have other health problems that make surgery risky.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine directs radiation to precise points on your body.

Radiation therapy may be used in kidney disease to kill the cancer cells. It can also help manage or reduce the symptoms of kidney cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, including bones and the brain.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fight cancer and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.

For kidney cancer, immunotherapy may be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain. It can also be used when the cancer grows very large or spread to other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. Many chemotherapy drugs exist. Most are administered through a vein. Usually, the kidney cancer are resistant to chemotherapy. You can, however, be used for certain rare types of kidney cancer.

Palliative care

Palliative care is a special type of health care that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve the pain and other symptoms. A health care team that may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained health professionals providing palliative care. The care team's goal is to improve the quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team. They provide an extra layer of support, while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time that you are getting strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation therapy.

The use of palliative care with other appropriate treatments can help people with cancer feel better and live longer.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine therapies cannot cure the cancer of kidney. But some integrative treatments can be combined with your health care team care to help deal with the side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as distress.

People with cancer often experience distress. If you are distressed, you may have trouble sleeping and find yourself constantly thinking about your cancer.

Talk about your feelings with your health care team. The specialists can help you find ways to cope. In some cases, medications can help.

Integrative medicine treatments can also help you to feel better, including:

  • Acupuncture.
  • Art therapy.
  • Exercise.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Meditation.
  • Music therapy.
  • The relaxation exercises.
  • Spirituality.

Talk with your health care team if you are interested in these options of treatment.

Coping and support

With time, you will find what helps you to deal with the uncertainty and fear of a cancer diagnosis. Until then, you can find help for:

Learn enough about the kidney cancer to make decisions about your care

Ask your health care team about your cancer, including your test results, treatment options, and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about kidney cancer, you can be more confident in making treatment choices.

Keep friends and family close

Keep your close relationships strong can help you deal with kidney cancer. Friends and family can provide the practical support that you may need, such as help to take care of your house if you're in the hospital. And that you can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by the fact of having cancer.

Find someone to talk to

Find someone who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and concerns. This can be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful.

Ask your health care team about support groups in your area. Other sources of information are the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

If your healthcare provider thinks you might have kidney cancer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and conditions, which is called a urologist. If a diagnosis of cancer, you may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer is called an oncologist.

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you have, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write important personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking and the dose.
  • Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be very difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health care team.

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For kidney cancer, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Do I have kidney cancer?
  • What is the stage of my kidney cancer?
  • Has my kidney cancer spread to other parts of my body?
  • More evidence is needed?
  • What are the treatment options?
  • How much does it cost each treatment to increase my chances of a cure or to prolong my life?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • How will each treatment affect my daily life?
  • There is a treatment option which you think is the best?
  • What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What is going to determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Kidney cancer