Kidney Cancer

Kidney Cancer >>> Also called: Renal cell cancer, Hypernephroma, Renal adenocarcinoma

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of tiny tubes in the kidneys. Kidney cancer may spread to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. Also, cancer cells may spread from on kidney to the other. The spread of cancer is called mestastasis.

Kidney cancer happens most often in people over the age of 40. However, the reason for this not fully clear. Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, having certain genetic conditions such as Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, obesity, and long-term dialysis.

Common signs and symptoms of kidney cancer include:

• blood in your urine(hematuria)
  
• a lump or mass in the abdomen or side


• unexplained weight loss


• pain in the side that does not go away


• loss of appetite


• feeling very tired or having a general feeling of poor health

These signs and symptoms may also be caused by an infection, cysts, or other problems. A person who experience these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. Treatment of kidney cancer depends on the age, overall health, and the stage of the disease. Treatment of the condition may include surgery, arterial embolization, radiation, chemotherapy or biological therapy. In some cases a combination of these treatments may be necessary.

Related Topics:

Benign Tumors (Noncancerous Tumors) Cancers (General Description) Gallbladder Cancer (Cancer of the Gallbladder) Pancreatic Cancer (Cancer of the Pancreas) Thymus Cancer (Cancer of the Thymus) Thyroid Cancer (Cancer of the Thyroid)

For More Information: (Links Open in a New Window)

What You Need to Know about Kidney Cancer (National Cancer Institute) What Is Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma)? (American Cancer Society) Kidney Cancer in Children (American Urological Association) Your Kidneys and How They Work (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)