Kidney cancer originates when the cells that are abnormal in one or both of the kidneys begin to multiply at uncontrollable rates. Although it can be silent during its initial phases, kidney cancer can turn deadly, in case of failure to identify or treat it.
This comprehensive handbook is to offer you all the information that you require about kidney cancer- what causes it, the symptoms, diagnoses, treatments that are available and how to prevent it. If you are a patient or caregiver or a health fanatic, this article can make you grasp this kind of situation in a clear, professional, and simple manner.
What Is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer is a result of uncontrollable growth of the kidney cells that actually create a tumor. Kidneys refer to the 2 bean shaped organs which are found on both sides of the spine, slightly below the rib cage. They help in such important work such as filtering of wastes in the blood, maintenance of blood pressure, production of red blood cells, and fluid and electrolyte balancing.
In case of tumor development in the kidney, the process may influence the use of a filtration system in the body and even transfer to other parts of the body like lungs, liver, or bones (metastasize).
Types of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer does not represent one disease. Some of them have different types, with specific features and behavior:
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
The most well-known variant of cancer which affects the kidney of an adult, and makes up approximately 90 percent of the cancer cases. It starts at the small tube lining inside the kidney. There are various subtypes of RCC such as clear cell, papillary and chromophobe RCC.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
This kind is also known as urothelial carcinoma and it originates in the renal pelvis being the section of the kidney that joins the bladder. It acts less competent against bladder cancer than average RCC.
Wilms Tumor
It is usually present in children and particularly children below the age of 6. It is not common in adults and is mostly managed through the combined use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Renal Sarcoma
It is a very unusual kind of kidney cancer and commences in the connective tissues in the kidney area. It has a tendency of growing and spreading fast.
What are the Causes of Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer can be caused by a variety of factors even though in many cases, its cause is not exact; several factors may cause kidney cancer:
- Smoking: It is a major predisposing factor that increases risk of kidney cancer two times.
- Obesity: An overall body fat will interfere with the hormones and get a tumor growing.
- Hypertension: Chronic hypertension may impair the kidneys and cause cancer.
- Genetics: An inherited history such as Von Hippel-Lindau disease or history may increase susceptibility.
- Chronic kidney disease and dialysis: Chronic kidney disease and long dialysis increase the risk.
- Occupational exposure: Exposure to dangerous material such as cadmium or asbestos may be dangerous.
- Painkiller overdoses: Excessive use of some medicine can lead to the development of kidney cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer is known as a silent disease, as a person can hardly notice any symptoms before his cancer has progressed. But with the further development of the tumor, it starts to disrupt the work of kidneys and can detach to other body organs. The following warning signs are the most crucial to be alert of:
1. Urine Morbidities (Hematuria)
This symptom is the most widespread and probably first in kidney cancer. It can be pink, red, or cola-coloured urine. There are cases when the blood is not seen with the naked eye, nevertheless, it is picked up on a urine test.
Coming back to why it matters, you do not need much blood in the urine to seek medical attention. You might have bladder cancer or kidney stones.
2. Constant Pain at the side or lower back
A painful sensation of one side of the lower back or the area of the flank extending to a dull ache or sharp pain may be an indication of the presence of a larger tumor that is pressing against the nearby tissues.
Why it is important: It is not a pain that is usually resolved and may increase with time.
3. Lump or Swelling of the Belly
As this tumor enlarges, a person may experience a lump or a mass in the abdomen or the side.
Why it matters: Presence of physical lump is usually a sign that the disease has advanced to an alarming stage and requires urgent medical care.
4. An Unaccounted Weight Loss
This indicates that cancer causes the body to be under stress since unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite might be experienced suddenly.
The significance of it: A drop in body weight by over 5 percent within 6 to 12 months even without an effort is alarming.
5. Weakness and General Weakness
Cancer in the kidney may result in anemia and block the supply of oxygen in the blood and this imposes a feeling of continuous tiredness.
What it means: Sometimes in spite of getting enough rest and sleep, a person will feel tired. In such cases, one might want to seek medical advice.
6. Fever and Night Sweats
Kidney cancer may manifest itself in recurrent low grade fevers that are not related to an infection and also through night sweating.
7. Pedal edema or swelling of the legs and ankles
With the deteriorating kidneys, there may be fluid retention in the body, which leads to swollen parts of the body.
What Are the Ways of Diagnosing Kidney Cancer?
An early and proper diagnosis is the key to an effective treatment. The doctors utilize a mix of tests and exams to reveal kidney cancer:
1. History of the Illness and Physical Exam
An exhaustive explanation of your symptoms, lifestyle, health history and physical examination can help the doctors tell whether additional tests are necessary.
2. Urine Tests (Urinalysis)
Applied to test blood, proteins or cancerous cells in the urine.
3. Blood Tests
- Creatinine and BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): They measure tracking of the kidney functioning.
- Complete blood count (CBC): Signifies deficiency in hemoglobin and infection features.
- Liver function tests: The tests conducted to analyze the spreading of the cancer.
4. Imaging Tests
These aid in imaging the tumor, determine its size and look at whether it has spread:
Ultrasound: This comes first as an imaging technique used to determine masses in the kidneys.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Gives an in-depth cross sectional image.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): it provides further clarification particularly when CT lacks conclusiveness.
- Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): X-ray study of the kidneys, ureter and bladder.
5. Biopsy (Uncommon necessity)
In other occurrences, a minimal sample is removed on the kidney to identify the type of cancer under the microscope. Imaging and lab results usually form the doctors basis of diagnosis the most.
What are the Phases of Kidney Cancer?
Staging is used in establishing the extent of development of the cancer and formulating possible treatment plans. The staging of kidney cancer is done through TNM grading based on Tumor size, Node, and Metastasis.
Stage 1- Small and localized
The size of the tumor is less or equal to 7 centimeters.
One kidney is affected by the cancer and it has not metastasized.
Prognosis: There is a high chance of being treated using surgery.
Stage II – Larger and still limited
The tumor measures more than 7 centimeters.
It remains confined in the kidney without any involvement of the lymph nodes.
prognosis: Better but surgery can still be performed; the risk of recurrence is a bit increased.
Stage III- Locally Advanced
Tumor can spread into blood vessels or lymph nodes.
The adrenal gland may be infected by cancer but not in far organs.
Prognosis: Surgery and systemic treatment might be necessitated
Stage IV- Advanced or Metastatic
The cancer has infiltrated other remote organs like the lungs, liver, brain or the bones.
Prognosis: Such a step is severe and should be treated with the help of immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or palliative care.
Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer
Treatment varies with the level of the disease, health of the patient and the spread of cancer. The usual course is:
1. Surgery
Partial Nephrectomy
The tumor or the affected portion of the kidney is only removed keeping as much of the normal kidney as possible.
Radical Nephrectomy
A whole kidney is extracted together with surrounding flesh, lymph nodes or even adrenal glands in case of need.
Localized kidney cancer can be best treated by surgery.
2. Targeted Therapy
This kind of drug interrupts discrete pathways or proteins, which enable tumors to grow. Sunitinib, axitinib and pazopanib are frequent agents of the targeted therapy. They are particularly helpful in the complicated or metastatic kidney cancer.
3. Immunotherapy
The method strengthens the immune system of the body so that it can recognize and kill cancerous cells. Such medications as nivolumab and pembrolizumab are widely applied in treating the advanced stages.
4. Radiation Therapy
Radiation is not a first-line treatment but might be employed in severe cases when there is an unbearable pain or other symptoms.
5. Ablative Therapies
Cryoablation
Kills cancer by freezing cells.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Kills the cancer cells by using heat. They are applied in cases where the surgery is not possible.
6. Chemotherapy
Most forms of kidney cancer are not treated effectively with chemotherapy, although rare varieties can be treated in this way e.g. sarcomatoid or transitional cell carcinoma.
7. Palliative Care
In severe or terminal situations, the aim is to increase the quality of life, symptom control, and emotional support.
Can Kidney Cancer Be Prevented?
Although the rate of prevention is not one hundred percent, the ways listed below can considerably cut the risk of a case:
Quit smoking.
- Have a healthy weight.
- Keep blood pressure at bay.
- Avoid the use of hazardous chemicals.
- Minimize the long-term use of pain killers.
- Consume a healthy diet that contains a balanced amount of nutrition.
Keep physically fit and hydrated.
Final Thoughts
Kidney cancer can be silent to start and knowledge is power. Why necessarily lose a life due to lack of awareness about the symptoms and therefore regular check ups. Due to the ever-growing alternative treatment methods, the highly progressive kidney cancer is becoming a manageable affair. In case you experience any symptoms or belong to a high-risk category, do not hesitate and address a physician.
Cancer in the kidney is hard but when discovered at an early stage and when you are strong you can fight it.
Kidney cancer is tough—but with early detection and strength, you can beat it.
