Kidney Cancer

OVERVIEW

Kidney cancer – also called renal cancer – is a disease in which kidney cells become malignant (cancerous) and grow out of control, forming a tumor.

There are two main types of kidney cancer: Wilms’ tumor, which occurs mainly in children, and renal cell carcinoma in adults. The cells that line the ureter may also give rise to transitional cell cancer, and the connective tissues of the kidney may produce sarcomas, which are rare.

CAUSES

The cause of kidney cancer is unknown. The risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• smoking
• obesity
• hypertension
• family history
• older age
• being male
• kidney disease
• being exposed to toxins in the workplace

There are also several inherited conditions that can increase your risk of kidney cancer. These include von Hippel-Lindau disease and hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma.

KIDNEY CANCER SIGN & SYMPTOMS

• Blood in the urine (urine slightly rusty to deep red)
• Pain in the side that does not go away
• A lump or mass in the side or the abdomen
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Feeling very tired or having a general feeling of poor health

Most often, these symptoms do not mean cancer. An infection, a cyst, or another problem also can cause similar symptoms. A person with any of these symptoms should see a doctor so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

DIAGNOSIS OF KIDNEY CANCER

If a patient has symptoms that suggest kidney cancer, the doctor may perform one or more of the following procedures:

Physical exam: The doctor checks the general signs of health and examines for fever and high blood pressure. The doctor also feels the abdomen and side for any lump.

Blood tests: The lab checks the blood to see how well the kidneys are working. The lab may check the level of several substances, such as creatinine, urea, uric acid etc. High level of creatinine may reflect that the kidneys are not doing their job.

Ultrasound test: A solid tumor or cyst shows up on a sonogram.

CT scan: An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of the kidneys. The patient may receive an injection of dye which show up the kidneys clearly in the pictures. A CT scan can show a kidney tumor.

KIDNEY CANCER TREATMENT

Treatment depends mainly on the stage of disease and the patient’s general health and age. The doctor can describe treatment choices and discuss the expected results. In most cases, based on the results of the CT scan, ultrasound and x-ray, the doctor gets enough information to recommend surgery to remove the part or entire kidney. A pathologist makes the final diagnosis by examining the tissue under a microscope.

Surgery is known as Radical/partial Nephrectomy, it can be done by Laparoscopy/Robotic or sometime open method.

Kidney cancer is almost curable if is diagnosed and treated during early stage. other treatments like Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy or immunotherapy is having little role in treatment and usually it is offered in advanced or metastatic disease.

PREVENTION OF KIDNEY CANCER

Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk of kidney cancer. Specific steps you can take to reduce your risk include:

• not smoking
• eating a balanced diet
• maintaining a healthy weight
• protecting yourself from chemical toxins at work
• controlling your blood pressure

Kidney Cancer Treatment in Ahmedabad – Dr. Sharad Dodiya

Dr. Sharad Dodiya (Fusion Kidney Institute) is the best Urologist and Kidney Specialist in Ahmedabad. Dr. Sharad and his team at Fusion Kidney — including urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists — work as a team to provide personalized care and treatment for kidney cancer in Ahmedabad.

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