Kidney cancer ranks among the most common types of carcinoma affecting adult men and women in the United States. Since the 1970s, national rates of kidney cancer have increased steadily. However, improved screening and treatment options have resulted in better prognoses and decreased mortality rates. Creatine is a waste product made by your body that the kidneys filter from the bloodstream. High creatine levels are a sign of reduced kidney function and may signal the presence of kidney cancer.
Kidney Cancer
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located in the upper back portion of your abdomen. As of date of publication, kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, is among the 10 most common types of cancer in adult men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. Kidney cancer affects approximately one out of every 67 adults, and occurs most commonly in people older than 55 years of age.
Risk and Survival
Risk for developing kidney cancer is based on a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. Smoking, obesity and exposure to certain toxic substances, such as asbestos and particular herbicides, all increase risk for developing the disease. Kidney cancer is difficult to detect, and tumors may grow without causing any pain or discomfort. However, when found and treated early, survival rates are high. According to the National Cancer Data Base, the five-year survival rate for people treated for stage I kidney disease is 81 percent.
Creatine
Creatine is a waste product generated by muscle metabolism and, to a lesser degree, by consuming meat. Your kidneys work to filter creatine, in addition to other waste products, from the bloodstream, so that they can be eliminated through the urine. In kidney cancer or in the case of other conditions in which the kidneys do not function properly, the level of creatine in your bloodstream increases. A creatinine test, which measures the amount of the creatine in a blood serum sample, may be used in diagnosing kidney disease. Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, your doctor may recommend routine creatine tests to monitor organ function after cancer treatment.
Elevated Creatine Levels
Normal levels of blood creatine fall in the range of 0.8 to 1.4 mg per dL. An elevated creatine level indicates poor kidney function, but does not necessarily indicate the presence of kidney cancer. High-than-average creatine levels are also associated with diabetes, eclampsia, dehydration and congestive heart failure. Creatine levels are typically higher in men than in women, and among omnivores as compared to vegetarians.
