Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Is Also Known as Renal Cancer
Kidney cancer is diagnosed for the first time in approximately 30,000 patients a year, according toThe
American Cancer Society. Kidney cancer terminal in approxiately twelve thousand people annually. Kidney cancer
tends to occur in adults age 50. Twice as many men get kidney cancer as women.
The most common type of kidney cancer is called renal cell
cancer, or renal cell carcinoma. It occurs in the area of the kidneys that filter blood and
produce urine.
Another type of adult kidney cancer, transitional cell carcinoma, is a tumor which
grows in the area of the kidney where urine collects.
The most common symptom of kidney
cancer in adults is the appearance of blood in the urine.
Renal cell carcinoma develops about twice as often in smokers as in nonsmokers.
It's estimated that anyone who stops smoking will reduce their chances of getting renal pelvis cancer by
fifty percent. Elinimating smoking would probably cut renal cell carcinoma by one third.
Kidney cancer tends to appear in different forms in children and
adults.
The main type of kidney cancer in children is Wilms tumor, which begins to develop
while the fetus is still in the womb. Wilms' tumor accounts for about six percent of childhood cancer
cases.
Wilm's tumor may be quite large by the time it's diagnosed, which is typically
around age three. Wilms tumor may be caused by certain congenital defects. There's an increased incidence
among siblings and twins. The tumor may cause a noticeable mass and there casn also be pain and discomfort in
the abdominal area.
In a minority of cases, blood in the urine occurs.
As with most types of cancer, the earlier kidney kidney cancer is detected, the
better the chance for the patient to survive. Tumors often respond well to treatment if they are diagnosed
early.
Treatment options include surgery, hormone therapy, biological therapy,
embolization, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
For additional information, click on kidney diseases and kidney problem causes.
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