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What is Kidney Cancer? Symptoms and Treatment

What is Kidney Cancer? Symptoms and Treatment

February 8, 2023
What is Kidney Cancer? Symptoms and Treatment

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the kidney. It happens when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. It is often discovered at an early stage when the cancer is small and confined to the kidney. A cancerous or malignant tumor can spread to other tissues and vital organs. 

What is the Function of the Kidney?

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are attached to the upper back wall of the abdomen and protected by the lower rib cage. 

The main function of the kidney is to remove excess water, salt, and waste products from the blood. These substances become urine. Urine collects in the center of each kidney in an area called the renal pelvis and then leaves the kidneys through long slender tubes called ureters. Kidneys also aid in controlling blood pressure and making sure the body has enough red blood cells. 

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?

  • Pain in your back or side that doesn’t go away
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tiredness
  • Bone pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Anemia
  • High calcium
  • Fever
  • Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola-colored
  • Unexplained weight loss

What Causes Kidney Cancer?

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Doctors know that kidney cancer begins when some kidney cells develop changes in their DNA. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can extend beyond the kidney. Some cells can break off and spread to distant parts of the body. There is no specific cause of this condition however, there are several factors that may lead to the development of this type of cancer such as:

  1. Smoking. People who smoke are at greater risk of developing this condition. 
  2. Family history. A family history of kidney cancer may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.
  3. Radiation therapy. Radiation treatment for cancer of the reproductive organs could increase the risk of developing this disease in women.
  4. Gene changes. Genes contain instructions for a cell’s function. Changes in certain genes can increase the risk of developing this type of cancer.
  5. Long-term dialysis treatment.  Dialysis is the process of cleaning your blood by passing it through a special machine. 
  6. Obesity. In general, the more overweight a person is, the higher the risk.
  7. High blood pressure. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure has been linked to an increased risk of this condition. 

What are the Types of Kidney Cancer?

  • Renal cell carcinoma. About 9 out of 10 kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas. In some cases, there are two or more tumors in one kidney, or even tumors in both kidneys at the same time, even though RCC grows as a single tumor.
  • Renal sarcoma. This is a very rare type of kidney cancer. Blood vessels and connective tissue around the kidneys are affected.
  • Collecting duct. This is also a rare form of RCC. The cancer cells look like irregular tubes.
  • Unclassified. Multiple cancer cells can be found in tumors. It also includes tumors with cells that don’t fit into the other categories.
  • Transitional cell carcinoma. It starts where the ureter and kidney meet. This area is called the renal pelvis. It can act and look like bladder cancer.
  • Clear cell renal cell carcinoma. About 7 out of 10 people with RCC have this kind of cancer. When seen in the lab, the cells that make up clear cell RCC look very pale or clear.
  • Papillary. This is the second most common type of RCC. This type of tumor has tiny fingerlike growths.

Treatment for Kidney Cancer

The treatment usually begins with surgery to remove cancer. If cancer has spread beyond the kidney, additional treatments may be recommended. Immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are further recommended to control the cancerous tumor.

Sorafenib is an effective medicine that prevents the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. It works by blocking signals in the cancer cells that make them grow. Blocking the signals causes the cells to die. It can also stop cancer cells from developing in the blood vessels. 

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