Kidneys, the bean-shaped and fist-sized organs, play a pivotal role in keeping the blood clean, by removing the waste complexes and by making the urine. The perfect cleaners of the body can get sick for various reasons including cancer.
Also known as renal cancer, kidney cancer, is a serious health condition where the kidney cells form tumour that are malignant (cancerous). The cancerous cells, during the initial stages, could be identified in the lining of tubules.
Regular kidney health check-ups and consulting the urologist in a timely manner can save the chances of cure at an extensive level. Continue reading the blog to know everything you need to know about kidney cancer.
Reasons for Kidney Cancer –
The exact reason for kidney cancer is still a puzzle. But the researchers have zeroed on various factors that lay a soft road for the cancerous cells to grow in the kidneys. Here are the factors that increase your chances.- Being a Male – Yes, a man has twice the amount of chances of getting cancer than a female. Men above 40 years need to keep a constant tab on kidney health as age-factor is another reason for cancer.
- Being on Heavy Medication for a Long Time – Heavy doses of medications and certain pain killers can double the chances of kidney cancer. This can happen in both male and female cases.
- Being Obese – Being overweight can influence the hormones that impact the overall metabolic functionality of the body. This can lead to kidney cancer, considering the pressure and other aspects.
- Being Born into a Family with a History of Kidney Cancer – The genetic conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) can cause kidney cancer. The chances are considerably high in siblings.
Symptoms of Renal Cancer –
Early symptoms could be found in many cases. However, there are cases in which the person shows symptoms during the advanced stages. Here are the common symptoms of renal cancer.- Lump in abdomen
- Blood in urine
- Constant pain
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Fever without a reason
- Fatigue and anaemia
Treatment for Kidney Cancer –
The doctor may confirm cancer after the diagnosis process that consists of various tests such as urine and blood tests, ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP).For kidney cancer, typically, the doctor team consists of a urologist, radiation oncologist and a surgeon. The treatment plan is devised based on the stage and the speed of cells spreading. In most cases, the surgery is employed as the first attempt towards treating cancer. Additional treatment methods would be used to kill the remaining cells after the surgery.
There are three major types of surgeries for kidney cancer and these are performed based on the location of the cancerous cells.
Radical nephrectomy is performed to remove the adrenal gland and the surrounding tissue. Simple nephrectomy is to remove the whole kidney. Partial nephrectomy is performed to remove the cancerous tissue along with the tissue that is around. In addition, radiation therapy and targeted kidney therapy are also performed based on the condition of the patient.
Prevention for Kidney Cancers –
Sticking to healthy lifestyle, eating habits and staying away from excessive smoking and medication usage can significantly reduce your chances of getting kidney cancer.The earlier the cancerous cells are detected, the better the chances will be to cure it. Fortunately, kidney cancers could be found during the early stages due to the symptoms of it. However, there can be cases where the cancer is found in the advanced states, making the treatment process more complex.
Consult with the best urologists to find not just renal cancer but various kidney disease at the right time to enhance your chances of healing.
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