1. The Name May Change, But It's Still Kidney Cancer
The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. It is also known as renal cell cancer or renal cell adenocarcinoma. This cancer accounts for nine out of ten incidents of kidney cancer, while children who develop kidney cancer usually have Wilms' tumor. Other less common types of kidney cancers are transitional cell carcinoma and renal sarcoma. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are 51,000 diagnosis of kidney cancer each year. Cases of kidney cancer are on the rise, but the reason for this is unclear.
2. Your Kidneys May Be Trying to Tell You Something
Kidney cancers rarely have symptoms in early stages. They are commonly found during other screenings or procedures, such as CT (computerized tomography) scans. Signs or symptoms that do occur are varied. Blood in the urine that makes it a pink, red or cola color may be a sign of kidney cancer. Other symptoms are back pain below the ribs that doesn't seem to go away, weight loss, fatigue and sporadic fevers.
3. Determine Your Risk Factor
The actual cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but there are several risk factors associated with this cancer. Smoking, obesity and high blood pressure are risk factors that are possible to avoid. Kidney cancer is diagnosed most commonly in people over 60, and males have a higher rate of kidney cancer than females. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, cadmium and trichloroethylene put people at higher risk. Treatment for kidney failure is also a risk factor, as well as hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma. If you have any of these risk factors speak to your primary health care provider about screenings and precautions.
4. The Stages of Kidney Cancer
Doctors treat kidney cancer by the stage. Stage one is when the cancer is small and only in the kidney. Stage two is a larger cancer, but still contained within the kidney. Stage three kidney cancer is when the cancer has spread outside of the kidney and has affected nearby adrenal glands or lymph nodes. Stage four is when the cancer has spread from the kidney to distant organs, such as the lungs. In addition, patients are considered stage four when the cancer has spread to more than one lymph node.
5. Discuss Treatment Options
Those with kidney cancer may have different options available to them. Working with their primary health care provider, patients can determine the treatment or combination of treatments that are best for them, which may include surgery. Surgery for kidney cancer may include removing the effected part of the kidney, the entire kidney and possibly the adrenal gland. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also options. Radiation uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells, while chemotherapy uses drugs that go through the blood stream to kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, uses drugs to kill cancer cells, as well. Immunotherapy uses synthetic drugs that mimic your own body's immune system.
