A person’s lifetime risk of developing kidney cancer is relatively low – about 2% for men and 1% for women – but the early warning signs of kidney cancer are not obvious. Many of the symptoms can be associated with other diseases. This makes kidney cancer difficult to diagnose and is why regular physical exams are important.
Our kidneys’ main function is to remove excess water, salt, and waste from our blood. The excess product is converted into urine. Our kidneys also help to control our blood pressure and regulate our red blood cell count. Although important, we can healthily function with only one kidney. However, cancer that starts in the kidneys can spread throughout the body, making it essential to monitor kidney health.
What is Kidney Cancer?
Cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells whose DNA has become damaged. Damaged cells are usually easily taken care of by our body’s immune system, but sometimes the cell growth becomes too much to handle and a lump of cancerous cells, or a tumor, develops. When this uncontrolled growth begins in the kidneys, it’s called kidney cancer.
There are two types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Roughly 9 out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses are linked to RCC, the remainder diagnosed as TCC. RCC is generally a single tumor that develops in one kidney, but it could be multiple tumors in one or both kidneys. TCC generates in the lining of the renal pelvis lining, just outside the kidney.
Early Warning Signs
It can be difficult to identify specific warning signs of kidney cancer because the symptoms can be associated with other diseases. That said, side effects and symptoms of kidney cancer can include:
- Lower back pain on one side of the body
- Blood in urine
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lump on the side of your torso or lower back
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Testicle swelling
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of legs or ankles
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult your physician immediately.
Treatment Options for Every Stage
After diagnosing the cancer, your doctor will stage it. What stage you’re in will influence the course of treatment your oncologist pursues.
Stage I
In stage one, the cancer is confined to the kidneys. Regular monitoring of the cancer using ultrasounds or CT scans is often prescribed. If it’s found that the cancer is not growing, no additional treatment is necessary. If the cancer is growing, surgery to remove the part of the kidney that’s been affected is done.
Stage II
At stage two, the cancer is still usually contained to the kidney, but may be starting to spread. Surgery to remove the cancerous tissue is the most common treatment. The entire kidney may need to be removed at this stage.
Stage III
In stage three, the cancer has spread beyond the kidneys. If it has entered large veins and nearby lymph nodes, bypass surgery may be required to remove the cancer from the blood vessels.
Stage IV
In stage four, the cancer has likely spread into other organs. Removal of the tumor can help but additional treatment will likely be needed. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be prescribed to help stymie the cancer growth. Additionally, alternative therapies are used for symptom relief.
Talk To Your Doctor
2Scheduling regular checkups with your doctor is the best way to identify and diagnose kidney cancer. As with all cancers, the earlier that it’s detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. There are many online resources available that provide in-depth information regarding the different types of kidney cancer and their treatments. Avoiding cancer-causing chemicals, as well as following a good diet and regular exercise regime is the best way to minimize your risk of developing kidney cancer.