What Is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer affects the cells in kidney that function to remove waste products from the blood or it affects the point where urine collection begins. Later type is termed as transitional cell carcinoma that is similar to bladder cancer. Another type of kidney cancer seen in children below the age of 5 is Wilms’ tumor. Factors that increase the risk of kidney cancer are smoking, alcohol, obesity, high blood pressure, being on dialysis (a process used to eliminate waste products in cases of kidney dysfunction) for years, people who work in areas rich in asbestos and cadmium and for unknown reasons men are at high risk for kidney cancer compared to women.

Symptoms:

Major symptom seen in any cancer is the formation of lumps, an extensive tissue growth due to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Other symptoms include blood in urine, weight loss, fever, severe pain in the side that does not relieve with pain killers and fatigue. However, these symptoms alone are not indicative of kidney cancer. It could be because of cysts or infections.

Diagnosis:

When you visit the doctor with the above symptoms, first step the doctor does is the physical examination where he feels the abdominal region for the presence of lumps, checks for fever and high blood pressure. Next step is he suggests for urine tests and blood test. Urine is tested for the presence of blood and bacteria to rule out the possibility of infection. Blood is tested for the presence of substances like creatinine to assess the functionality of kidney. Creatinine levels above normality indicate malfunctioning kidneys. Basing on the test results the doctor suggests for a CT scan where a dye is injected to reveal the clear presence of a tumor in the kidney. Ultrasound test is another diagnostic tool that gives a clear picture of the kidneys. Presence of tumor or cyst can be easily identified. In some cases even a biopsy test where a tissue from the kidneys is examined for the presence of cancer cells is done before starting cancer treatment.

Stages:

Stage 1: This is the initial stage where the tumor measures around 7 centimeters and is restricted to the kidney.

Stage 2: Tumor measure more than 7 cms but lies within kidney region.

Stage 3: Tumor may or may not increase in size but is restricted to kidneys. Cancer cells start their journey out of kidneys and start invading the nearby lymph nodes and adrenal glands.

Stage 4: Cancer cells have made long journey and may be seen in other organs like lungs and the tumor outgrows the fibrous tissue surrounding the kidneys.

Treatment:

Before undergoing treatment make sure that you are diagnosed properly for cancer. Chances of infection and a large cyst are ruled out. Taking a second opinion will be helpful. Have knowledge about the various treatment options available.

Surgery: This involves removal of entire kidney or part of it or kidney along with adrenal glands and the surrounding tissue basing on the extent the tumor has spread.

Arterial Embolization: A form of treatment where the renal artery is deprived of the blood supply which thereby limits the blood supply to kidneys. This causes tumor cells to starve due to lack of nutrient supply. This results in shrinking of tumor region.

Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy are other treatment options that aim at killing the cancer cells by use of radiation dosage and drugs respectively.

Jonathan Pitts

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