Kidney Cancer Symptoms - Kidney cancer, or renal cancer, is a type of cancer that begins in the kidney. The kidney is a bean-shaped organ that filters blood and helps to remove waste from the body. Kidney cancer can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Most kidney cancers are detected when they are small and have not spread. However, if they are not found early and treated, they can grow and spread.
Causes of Kidney Cancer
There is no one cause of renal cancer. Kidney cancer can happen due to a variety of factors, including:
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking is the most critical risk factor for kidney cancer. People who smoke are two to three times more likely to develop kidney cancer than people who do not smoke.
- Obesity: Being obese (very overweight) is a risk factor for kidney cancer.
- High blood pressure: People with high blood pressure (hypertension) have an increased risk of kidney cancer.
- Family history: Having a family member with kidney cancer may increase your risk of developing the disease.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: People exposed to certain chemicals, such as cadmium and trichloroethylene, have an increased risk of kidney cancer.
Types of Kidney Cancer
There are a variety of different types of kidney cancer, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment options. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 80 to 90 percent of all cases. Other types of kidney cancer include urothelial cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, Wilms tumor, and collecting duct renal cell carcinoma.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for about 80 to 90 percent of all cases. RCC usually affects adults over 40 and is more common in men than women.
- Urothelial Cell Carcinoma
Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the urothelium, the lining of the urinary tract. UCC is less standard than RCC and usually affects people over 60.
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma and Collecting Duct Renal Cell Carcinoma
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and Collecting Duct Renal Cell Carcinoma are types of kidney cancer that start in the renal pelvis, the part of the kidney where urine collects before draining into the urinary tract. They are less common than RCC and UCC and usually affect people over 60.
Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the cells of the kidney that make up the renal pelvis. Wilms tumor is the most common type of kidney cancer in children but can also occur in adults.
Kidney Cancer Symptoms
The most common symptom of kidney cancer is a mass or lump in the abdomen. Other kidney cancer symptoms may include:
- Pain in the side or back that does not go away
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Anemia
A person with these symptoms must see their doctor to determine the cause. Kidney cancer gets diagnosed when it is small and has not spread. However, if not found early, it can grow and spread quickly.
Kidney Cancer Treatment
The treatment for kidney cancer depends on the stage of the disease. If cancer gets detected early, it may be possible to remove the tumor with surgery. Other treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
If cancer gets detected early, surgery may be an option. The type of surgery will depend on the size and location of the tumor. Minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopic nephrectomy can treat kidney cancer that has not spread outside the kidney. This surgery uses small incisions and special instruments to remove the kidney. Treating kidney cancer that has spread to nearby tissues can involve a radical nephrectomy, which entails removing the kidney, surrounding tissue, and sometimes the lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells and treats kidney cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or organs.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It treats kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific genes or proteins involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. It treats kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
The CC Treatment
This cancer cell treatment uses a cream-based formula that destroys toxic cells produced by illness. Visit our Testimonials Page for information on some cases of people who have wanted to share their results using the CC Treatment.
CLL is a type of leukemia that affects white blood cells, making it harder for the body to fight infections. It often goes unnoticed in its early stages, but symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, and enlarged lymph nodes may appear as it progresses.
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