What is Kidney cancer?
Cancer is formed when the cells in some part of the body start growing out of control. These cancer cells can form a tumour or damaged tissue. If cancer cells grow in the kidney, it is called Kidney Cancer.
What are the different types of Kidney cancer?
The most common kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. It forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney. Some cancers that occur in the centre of the kidney are known as transitional cell carcinoma.
Kidney cancer that occurs in young children is known as Wilms tumour. An average age for people to be diagnosed with kidney cancer is around 64 years. It is rarely seen in people younger than 45 years. The risk is higher in men than in women. Timely diagnosis and treatment help cure kidney cancer.
Facts about Kidney Cancer
The terms ‘ tumour’, ‘mass’, or ‘lesion’ are used to describe an abnormal growth of cells in the kidney. Tumours can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
A fluid-filled sac, called the cyst is the most common growth found in the kidney. Cysts are mostly non-cancerous. Solid kid tumours can be benign, but most often they are found to be cancerous.
Symptoms
- Kidney tumours can cause blood in the urine.
- Pain in the side, abdomen, or back that does not reduce or go away.
- A lump in your abdomen.
- Loss of weight and appetite for no known reason.
- Anaemia and fatigue.
In case of cancer in the kidney spreads beyond the kidney, symptoms
depend on where it has spread to.
- If cancer is in the lungs, short breath or coughing up blood may occur.
- If cancer is in the bone, bone pain or fracture may occur.
- If cancer is in the brain, then neurological symptoms may occur.
Causes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Misusing pain medicine for a long time
- Von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Family history of kidney cancer.
Diagnosis
- There are no blood or urine tests that detect kidney cancer.
- Most often a tumour is diagnosed during a routine screening test for people
- with genetic risks ( Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome or Tuberous sclerosis)
- A person meets a doctor for some unrelated problem.
Tests used to detect kidney cancer:
- Physical exam and history — A healthcare professional will examine your body for any abnormal lumps or anything unusual. Will take a history of your
- Health habits, past illnesses and treatments, and family history for kidney cancer.
- Ultrasound exam — An image of the kidneys and organs may be first taken with an ultrasound. Here high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs to make images.
- Blood chemistry studies — Blood samples are checked to look for certain substances released into the blood by your organs. If the amounts are not normal, it is a sign of disease.
- Urinalysis — A sample of urine is tested to see the colour and contents.
- Unusual levels of sugar, protein, red blood cells, and white blood cells can indicate disease.
- Liver function test (LFT) — A sample of blood is checked to measure the enzymes released by the liver. Unusual levels may be a sign that cancer has spread to the liver.
- Intravenous pyelogram — A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters and bladder are taken to see if cancer has spread there. A contrast dye is injected through a vein that moves through these organs and the x-ray helps to look for blockages.
- CT scan (CAT scan or computer tomography) — This procedure involves taking detailed pictures of the inner body parts from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be used to help see the organs or tissues more clearly.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) — This imaging uses a magnet, radio waves and a computer to make detailed pictures of the organs. Your doctor will get a clear picture of any abnormal growths with these images.
- Biopsy — A biopsy is when cells and tissues of an organ are removed in order to study them in detail. The sample is viewed under a microscope by a pathologist, who can check for signs of cancer. For renal cell cancer, a thin needle is inserted into the tumour and a sample of tissue is removed for biopsy.
- A urologist — a surgeon who specialises in treating diseases of the urinary system and reproductive systems.
- A radiation oncologist — a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy
- A medical oncologist — a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as immunotherapy.
Contact 080 28483939 for more information on Kidney Stone and Treatment at our Specialized Clinic, ReSCUE Urology Hospital for Best Kidney Cancer Treatment in Bangalore.
