Kidney Cancer

Causes

• Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of kidney cancer.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk.
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Chronic high blood pressure is a risk factor.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop kidney cancer than women.
• Age: Risk increases with age, with most cases diagnosed between 50 and 70 years old.
• Family History: Having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with kidney
  cancer increases the risk.
• Genetic Syndromes: Certain inherited conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or
  hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Symptoms

• Blood in the Urine (Hematuria): Often the first noticeable symptom, urine may appear
  pink, red, or cola-colored.
• Back Pain: Pain in the back or side that doesn't go away.
• Abdominal Mass: A lump or mass in the abdomen.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak.
• Unintended Weight Loss: Significant weight loss without trying.
• Loss of Appetite: Decreased appetite and feeling full quickly.
• Intermittent Fever: Fever that comes and goes.

Types

• Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC):
  • Most common type, originates in the lining of the tubules within the kidney.
• Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC):
  • Develops in the renal pelvis or ureter, less common than RCC.
• Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma):
  • Most common type of kidney cancer in children, usually diagnosed before age 5.

Diagnosis

• Imaging Tests: CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and PET scan to visualize the kidneys and
  detect tumors.
• Biopsy: Removing a sample of kidney tissue for examination under a microscope to
  confirm cancer.
• Blood Tests: Testing for tumor markers and assessing kidney function.

Treatment

• Surgery:
  • Nephrectomy: Removal of part or all of the affected kidney.
• Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific abnormalities in cancer cells, such as
  vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors or mammalian target of rapamycin
  (mTOR) inhibitors.
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the immune system to fight cancer, such as immune
  checkpoint inhibitors.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams to kill cancer cells, sometimes used to relieve
  symptoms or treat metastatic disease.

Prevention

• Quit Smoking: Smoking cessation can reduce the risk of kidney cancer.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Adopting a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help
  prevent obesity-related kidney cancer.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce the risk.
• Control High Blood Pressure: Managing hypertension can lower the risk.
• Regular Check-ups: Report any unusual symptoms to a healthcare provider promptly.