Kidney cancer: symptoms, risk factors and the the right management

Kidneys; the bean-shaped organs present in the human body are the vital part of the urinary system. Kidneys are involved in the elimination of wastes, electrolytes and excess fluids from the body. Apart from the elimination of wastes, kidneys are also involved in the regulation of blood pressure and the production of red blood cells. However, when the cells in the kidney multiply abnormally it gives rise to the growth of a tumour or malignant cancer cells. Kidney cancer also is known as renal cancer refers to any type of cancer that affects the kidney. Kidney cancer, especially renal cell carcinoma is known to comprise 2-3% of all the adult cancers. Let us have a look at what kidney cancer is, its early signs and the Best Kidney Cancer Treatment in Delhi.

Signs and symptoms of kidney cancer

Cancer is usually silent in its initial stages but even the smallest signs should not be ignored. Early detection and right medication intervention on time is the key to beat cancer. Some of the symptoms of kidney cancer are

• Abdominal pain

• Lump in the back

• Blood in the urine

• fatigue/tiredness

• Weight loss and loss of appetite

• Anaemia

Risk factors of kidney cancer

Some of the common risk factors for the occurrence of kidney cancer are

Age: the risk of kidney cancer increases after 60 years of age.

Obesity: it has been found that people who are obese are at a higher risk of developing renal cell carcinoma.

Hypertension: hypertension and anti-hypertensive medications can be one of the leading risk factors for developing kidney cancer.

Smoking: regular tobacco users are at a higher risk of developing renal cancer due to its carcinogenic properties.

Occupational hazards: workers who have prolonged exposure to chemicals like cadmium, asbestos are naturally at a higher risk of developing cancer.

Types of kidney cancer:

There are various types of kidney cancer, out of which renal cell carcinoma is the most common one. Some other types of kidney cancer are

• renal oncocytoma

• Bellini duct carcinoma

• clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney

• mesoblastic nephroma

• urothelial cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis

• squamous cell carcinoma

• juxtaglomerular cell tumour

• angiomyolipoma

• Wilms' tumour, usually diagnosed in children under 5 years of age

• mixed epithelial stromal tumour

Treatment of kidney cancer

Treatment for kidney cancer is dependent on several factors such as the type and stage of kidney cancer apart from a patient’s general health. A person can survive with just one kidney, which is why nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy is performed usually as a part of kidney cancer treatment. Certain adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation are given along with the surgery to shrink the size of the tumour as well.  

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