Kidney Cancer

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in your kidney tissue.
In time, these cells form a mass called a tumor.
Cancer begins when something triggers a change in the cells, and they divide out of control.
A cancerous or malignant tumor can spread to other tissues and vital organs. When this happens, it’s called metastasis.
Kidney cancer is most common in people between the ages of 65 and 74.
Men are twice as likely as women to develop the disease.
It’s also more common in Native American and Black populations.

Types of kidney cancer:-

There are different types of kidney cancer:-

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC): This is the most common form of kidney cancer in adults and accounts for 85% of all kidney cancers.

Renal cell carcinoma usually develops as a single tumor in one kidney, but it can affect both kidneys.
The cancer begins in the cells that line your kidney’s tubules.
The most common type of RCC is clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Transitional cell cancer: Transitional cell carcinoma accounts for 6% to 7% of all kidney cancers.

This cancer usually begins in the area where your ureter connects to the main part of your kidney. This area is called your renal pelvis.
Transitional cell carcinoma can also occur in your ureters or bladder.

Renal sarcoma: This is the least common form of kidney cancer, accounting for only 1% of kidney cancer cases.

It begins in the connective tissues of your kidneys and, if not treated, can spread to nearby organs and bones.

Wilms tumor: This is the most common type of kidney cancer in children. It accounts for about 5% of kidney cancers.

Symptoms:-

Kidney cancer symptoms may include:-

Causes:-

Smoking: People who smoke are at greater risk for kidney cancer. In addition, the longer a person smokes, the higher the risk.
Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for kidney cancer. In general, the more overweight a person is, the higher the risk.
High blood pressure: Also called hypertension, high blood pressure has been linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer.
Family history: People who have family members with kidney cancer may have an increased risk of developing cancer themselves.
Radiation therapy: Women who have been treated with radiation for cancer of their reproductive organs may have a slightly increased risk of developing kidney cancer.
Gene changes (mutations): Genes contain instructions for a cell’s function. Changes in certain genes can increase the risk of developing kidney cancer.
Long-term dialysis treatment: Dialysis is the process of cleaning your blood by passing it through a special machine. Dialysis is used when a person’s kidneys aren’t functioning properly.
Tuberous sclerosis complex: Tuberous sclerosis is a disease that causes seizures and intellectual disabilities, as well as the formation of tumors in many different organs.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL): People with this inherited disorder are at greater risk for developing kidney cancer. This disorder causes noncancerous tumors in your blood vessels, typically in your eyes and brain.

Investigation:-

Your healthcare provider uses information from various tests, including CT, MRI and biopsy, to determine the stage of cancer:-

Stage I: The tumor is 7 centimeters (cm) across or smaller and is only in your kidney. It hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
Stage II: The tumor is larger than 7 cm across but is still only in your kidney. It hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or other tissue.
Stage III: The tumor has spread to your major blood vessels — your renal vein and inferior vena cava — or into the tissue surrounding your kidney or to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The tumor has spread outside of your kidney to your adrenal gland or to distant lymph nodes or other organs.

Treatment:-

Kidney cancer treatment depends on the stage and grade of the tumor, as well as your age and overall health.
Options include:-