Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer affects men almost twice as often as women. Most people who get the disease are over the age of 50.
Causes
The exact causes of kidney cancer are not well understood. Kidney cancer is not contagious; no one can catch any kind of cancer in another person.
Scientists have found that smoking is a significant risk factor for kidney cancer. Smokers are twice as likely to contract the disease than non-smokers. Several studies also suggest that the risk of developing kidney cancer may be higher than average among people with certain occupations. Additional risk groups include coke oven workers and those working with asbestos. Studies also show that being overweight can increase the risk of developing other cancers. Kidney cancer may be one of them.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of kidney cancer is blood in the urine. In some cases, a person can see the blood. There may be one day and not the next. Another sign of kidney cancer is a lump or weight that can be felt in the kidney area. The tumor may cause dull pain or pain in the back or side.
Investigation
To diagnose kidney cancer, the patient and family health history is taken and examined throughout the body. In addition to checking temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and other common health symptoms, the doctor will usually order a blood and urine test and one or more of the following tests:
Treatment
If this test shows a tumor, it is important to know the level, or stage, of the disease. Because kidney cancer can spread to the bones, lungs, liver, or brain, stage procedures can include specialized x-rays and screening of these organs.
Treatment of kidney cancer depends on the location and size of the tumor and whether cancer has spread to other organs. Kidney cancer is treated with surgery, stabilization, hormone replacement therapy, biological therapy, or chemotherapy, which is a form of systemic therapy and is rarely treated with radiation.
Surgery
Many patients with kidney cancer are undergoing surgery, a procedure called a radical neurectomy. In some cases, the surgeon removes the entire kidney or just a portion of the kidney that contains the tumor. Often, the surgeon removes all the kidneys and adrenal glands and fat around the kidneys. Also, nearby lymph nodes may be removed because they are one of the first areas in which kidney cancer spreads. Detecting cancer cells in the lymph nodes means that there may be cancer elsewhere in the body.
Radical neurectomy, major surgery. Within a few days of surgery, most patients need pain medication. Discomfort may make it difficult to breathe deeply, and patients should perform special cough and breathing exercises to keep their lungs clean. Patients may need iv (injection) intake and fluids for a few days before and after surgery. The nurses will keep track of the amount of fluid the patient takes and the amount of urine produced. The remaining kidney takes over the function of the removed one.
Embolization
Embolization, is a substance injected to close the blood vessels of the kidneys. The tumor shrinks because it does not get the blood it needs to grow. In some cases, embolization makes surgery easier. When surgery is not possible, this treatment can help reduce pain and bleeding.
Embolization can cause pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting. These problems are treated with medication. Often, patients also need intravenous fluids.
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