Kidney
cancer (also known as renal cancer) is uncommon in the United
States, accounting for about one to two percent of all cancers
each year. When detected relatively early, there is an excellent
chance for cure. Following is a brief discussion of the causes,
symptoms, and treatment of kidney cancer.
The
Kidneys
The
kidneys are bean shaped organs located in the abdomen, just
under the rib cage. Most people are born with two kidneys, one
on either side of the abdomen. The main function of the kidney
is to make urine, one of the bodys main ways to get rid of
metabolic waste and control salt and water balance in the body.
The
kidney is also important in Vitamin D activation (good for strong
bones) and stimulation of red blood cell production (the oxygen-carrying
cells of the body). The kidneys are vital organs, and if they
fail, a person requires a dialysis machine or a kidney transplant
to survive.
Who
gets kidney cancer?
Males are roughly two times more likely to suffer from kidney
cancer than females. Kidney cancer is most likely to affect
people age 50-60, although any age group can be affected (including
children). There is thought to be a fairly strong genetic influence
on the development of kidney tumors as well.
Tobacco
use is also associated with kidney cancer and is probably the
number one avoidable risk factor in the United States (one more
reason to quit smoking!). Patients on chronic dialysis also
have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer in their kidneys.
What
are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?
The
symptoms of cancer in the kidneys are of two types systemic
and localized to the kidney. Systemic symptoms are common in
all cancers and include fatigue, weight loss, anemia (low blood
counts), and fever.
| Kidney
Cancer: Risk Factors |
| According
to the American Cancer Society, the following are
risk factors for developing kidney cancer: |
- Smoking
- Being
of male gender
- Having
occupational exposure to asbestos or cadmium
- Having
a family history of kidney cancer
- Eating
a diet high in fat, and being overweight
- Being
on long-term dialysis
- Having
a history of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome or tuberous
sclerosis
|
|
The
most common localized symptom is blood in the urine, which may
be grossly visible or may only be visible under the microscope.
Other symptoms include flank pain and a palpable mass. Rarely,
kidney cancer may cause other symptoms, including high blood
pressure or increased blood counts.
With
the increasing modern day use of advanced x-ray studies, such
as CT (computed tomography) scan and MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging), it is now estimated that 50 percent or more of kidney
tumors are detected by accident when a CT scan or MRI is done
for another purpose.
This
may allow for detection of the cancer early, when cure is more
likely. Occasionally, kidney cancer is detected on a chest x-ray,
due to spread of the cancer to the lungs. This represents a
far-advanced, probably incurable form of kidney cancer.
Once
a diagnosis of kidney cancer is suspected, usually a biopsy
of the mass is performed to determine the type of cancer. This
can often be done using a needle that goes through the skin
and into the kidney mass.
A
small piece is taken out with the needle and sent to a pathologist
who looks at the tissue under the microscope to determine if
the lesion is cancer and if so, which type. Once the diagnosis
is confirmed, your doctor will need to determine whether or
not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. A CT scan
to look for cancer spread is usually done.
How
is it treated?
The
best treatment we currently have available for kidney cancer
is surgical resection. Kidney cancer often tends to spread locally
for a long time before it spreads to distant areas of the body.
Surgery for kidney cancer generally involves a big operation,
requiring the patient to be put to sleep while on a breathing
machine.
The
affected kidney and surrounding tissue are removed surgically.
Amazingly, the body generally has enough reserve to survive
with only one kidney if the one kidney is healthy. If the remaining
kidney is not healthy, dialysis may be required for survival
after the operation.
If
surgery is not an option because of spread (or metastases) of
the cancer to other organs, the prognosis is quite poor. Newer
therapies are currently being developed, but currently available
chemotherapy and radiation therapy is not considered curative.
While
kidney cancer is relatively rare, it can be a devastating disease
for those affected. If you experience blood in your urine or
unexpected weight loss, see your doctor for evaluation. Remember,
early detection is the best hope for a cure.
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