Kidney cancer.docx

1. Kidney cancer Kidney cancer is cancer that starts in the kidneys. The kidneys are bean-formed organs, each about the size of your clench hand. They are located behind the abdominal organs, with one kidney on each side of the spine. In grown-ups, renal cell carcinoma is the most well-known sort of kidney cancer. Other, more uncommon kinds of kidney cancer can happen. Small kids are bound to build up a kind of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumor. The rate of kidney cancer has all the earmarks of being expanding. One reason for this may be the fact that imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) are used more often. These tests may lead to the accidental detection of many kidney cancers. Kidney cancer is most often found at an early stage, when the cancer is small and confined to the kidneys. Symptoms Kidney tumors may not hurt or show any signs. Sometimes it can cause a growth in the kidneys: ● ● ● ● ● Blood in the urine Pain in the side, abdomen or back that doesn’t go away A lump in your abdomen Loss of appetite and weight loss for no known reason Anemia and fatigue If cancer has spread (metastasized) outside the kidney, symptoms depend on where it has spread. Shortness of breath or coughing up blood may occur when the cancer is in the lung. Bone pain or fracture may occur when the cancer is in the bone. Neurological symptoms may occur when cancer is in the brain.

2. Causes Cancer in the kidney is associated with the following risks: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Smoking Obesity Chronic high blood pressure Misusing certain pain medicine for a long time Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome Tuberous sclerosis Family history of kidney cancer Treatment Treatment options depend on several factors, including: ● Public Health ● The type and stage of kidney cancer ● Personal preferences ● Pre-cancer treatments Surgery In most cases, surgery is the first option. The surgeon may remove part or all of the kidney, as well as tissue around the tumor. If necessary, they may need to have lymph nodes and other tissues removed. A person can only function with one kidney, so removing an entire kidney is an option. Laparoscopic surgery, which requires only small incisions, is often possible. Nonsurgical options A person who is ill or weak may not be able to undergo surgery. In this case, there are some non-surgical options possible. Embolization: The surgeon inserts a catheter and passes an artificial material through it into the blood vessels. This substance blocks the blood supply to the kidneys, depriving the tumor of oxygen and nutrients and causing it to shrink. Cryoablation: The doctor will insert one or more special needles called cryoprobes through small incisions in the tumor. The gases in the needles freeze the cells, heat them up, and freeze them again. This freeze-thaw cycle kills the cancer cells. The process can be painful, and it may cause some bleeding, infection, and tissue damage near the tumor. Chemotherapy

3. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful medicines to attack and kill cancer cells, and to stop or delay the cancer’s progression. These drugs often affect the whole body, and they can have widespread harmful effects. However, the effects often subside after treatment ends. Immunotherapy Immunotherapy boosts the body's immune system's ability to fight cancer. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, chills, high body temperature, and loss of appetite. Targeted therapy In targeted therapy, drugs target specific functions or genes that play a role in cancer development. They cut off the functions necessary for the cancer to stay and grow. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy usually cannot cure kidney cancer, but it may help shrink the tumor, reduce the spread of cancer cells, and relieve symptoms. Side effects usually include nausea and fatigue. Complementary therapy Besides conventional treatments, some people say that taking certain vitamins may help. However, the individual should discuss this matter first with their physician, as some supplements can exacerbate symptoms or lead to new health problems. How kidney cancer is diagnosed Diagnosing kidney cancer requires a complete history and physical examination. Your doctor will look for a lump in your abdomen or a lump in your abdomen. In men, the doctor may also look for an enlarged, twisted, or varicocele in the scrotum. It includes some tests that may be used to detect kidney cancer: Complete blood count The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell production. A complete blood count can reveal whether the red blood cell count is high, which may indicate polycythemia, or low, which may indicate anemia. Blood chemistry tests

4. Blood chemistry tests can help show how well your kidneys are working. Kidney cancer can also affect levels of some types of chemicals in the blood, such as liver enzymes and calcium. Urinalysis A urinalysis can allow your doctor to determine if blood is present in the urine. It may also reveal other signs of infection. Ultrasound of the abdomen and kidneys An abdominal ultrasound can measure the size and shape of your kidneys. If a lump is present, it may reveal its size and consistency. Renal angiography In this test, your doctor passes a catheter through a large artery in your leg or groin and into your renal artery. They will inject a special dye into the artery. After the dye is injected, they'll take a series of X-rays. This helps your doctor to see in detail the blood flow to your kidneys. If a lump is present, blood flow to the tumor may be seen. Intravenous pyelogram For this test, a health care provider will inject a special dye into a vein. The dye allows you to see your kidneys more clearly with an X-ray. This test can help your doctor find a lump or blockage. CT scan of the abdomen CT scan is a noninvasive test that uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of your body. Allows to see the following: ● bones ● muscles ● fat ● organs ● blood vessels It can be used to find out if cancer has spread outside the kidneys. The following tests may also be used to find out if kidney cancer has spread:

5. ● an MRI scan of the abdomen ● a bone scan ● a chest X-ray ● a PET scan ● a chest or abdominal CT scan Kidney cancer risk factors Each year, more than 65,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with kidney cancer. No one knows whether or when the disease will develop, but understanding the risk factors for kidney cancer may help you take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.