Renal cancer, also known as kidney cancer, originates in the cells of the kidney. This affects the entire excretory system.
What is renal cancer?
Renal cancer is the malignancy of the kidney, the organ that is primarily responsible for the removal of metabolic waste products from the body. It is mostly formed in the tissues of the kidney.
Types of renal cancer
The two most common types of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.
- Renal cell carcinoma
The most common type of renal cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. It forms in the lining of small tubes in the kidney that filters the blood and removes waste products. It usually grows as a single tumor within the kidney. - Transitional cell carcinoma
Transitional cell carcinoma is kidney cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where the urine gets collects. Transitional cell carcinoma, also urothelial carcinoma, typically occurs in the urinary system. It is the most common type of bladder cancer. - Wilms Tumour
This type of kidney cancer occurs in children. It starts to develop at the fetal stage and may become large by the time it is detected. Wilms tumor is associated with certain congenital defects including abnormalities of the urine tract, absence of the iris (aniridia), and hemihypertrophy (enlargement of one side of the body) and is common among twins.
Symptoms of renal cancer
- Blood in the urine
- Constant pain in the side or flank
- A lump or mass in the abdomen or side
- Persistent fever
- Sudden weight loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Heavy sweating
Risk factors of renal cancer
There are several risk factors which could cause renal cancer.
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Long term dialysis
- Old age
- Exposure to toxins like asbestos, cadmium, etc.
- Genetic syndromes
Prevention
A few steps may be taken to improve your health to help reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer.
- Quit smoking
Support programs, medications, and nicotine-replacement products to help quit smoking. - Reduce weight
If you’re overweight or obese, reduce the number of calories you consume each day and try to be physically active. - Keep your blood pressure under control
If your blood pressure is high then lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss, and diets can help. Medications may be required to lower blood pressure.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms that suggest kidney cancer, a few tests help determine the underlying cause.
- Urine tests and blood tests
- Ultrasound
- CT scans
- MRI
- IVP
- Biopsy
After surgical removal of the entire kidney tumor, the final diagnosis can be made by examining the tissue for cancerous cells.
Treatment
Common treatment options for people with renal cancer are surgery, targeted therapy, and biological therapy. Your doctor may put you on more than one type of treatment. At any stage of the disease, palliative care is available to control the pain, symptoms, and relieve the side effects of treatment. This, in turn, helps ease emotional concerns. Wilms tumor is treated through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, depending on the stage of the disease.
