About Kidney Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 50,000 new cases of kidney cancer arise yearly, killing thousands of Americans. About 50 percent more men than women develop kidney cancer, with most people affected between ages 50 to 70. Because the early stages of this cancer have only subtle or no symptoms at all, kidney cancer is a dangerous disease because someone could have it without realizing it.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), also known as hypernephroma, is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer found in adults. It typically originates in cells lining the tiny tubes that remove waste products and filter blood (proximal convoluted tubules). RCC normally grows as a single mass within a kidney. However, tumors can sometimes be in both kidneys, even at the same time. Sometimes RCCs are discovered after they've grown rather large, yet before spreading to other organs. It's difficult to treat after it has spread.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Transitional cell carcinoma, which makes up about 5 percent to 10 percent of kidney cancers, involves cancer developing in the tissue forming the tubes connecting the bladder to the kidneys. However, this cancer can also start in the utreters, as well as the bladder. This cancer is usually connected to smoking and exposure to chemicals in the workplace that cause cancer.

Wilms' Tumor

Wilms' tumor is a rare cancer that originates in the kidneys of young children. Fortunately, children with Wilms' tumor have a brighter outlook than in past years because of improved imaging technologies that help doctors find the extent of the disease and best ways to plan for treatment.

Symptoms

Obvious symptoms are seen in later stages of kidney cancer, such as blood in the urine that appears pink, cola-colored or red. Other signs may include constant back pain below the ribs, weight loss, fatigue and an intermittent fever.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Various diagnostic tools are used to determine kidney cancer. Imaging devices, blood and urine tests, biopsies and other diagnostic means are able to confirm the presence of kidney cancer and the stage of the disease. The usual treatment is surgery, especially for renal cell cancer that's localized. Patients unable to have surgery may be treated with image-guided ablation. Physicians use radiation in addition to surgery, depending on the condition of a patient when diagnosed.

Risk Factors

One of the largest risks for developing kidney cancer is smoking. Obesity increases the odds for kidney cancer in that it causes changes in particular hormones that can cause renal cell carcinoma. Exposure to asbestos, a metal known as cadmium, some herbicides, organic solvents, benzene, trichloroethylene and other harmful chemicals in the workplace also present risks. Genetics may also play a role because the DNA inherited from parents may contain changes accounting for the tendency of developing cancer.

Warning

Sometimes a doctor may ignore a child having symptoms of lower back pain, mistaking it for growing pains when it's actually Wilms' tumor. If back pain continues, diagnostic tests should be given, along with an MRI study.

Resources

• SEER Stat Fact Sheets