Kidney Cancer

What is kidney cancer?

Kidneys are part of the urinary system. They are shaped like a bean that filters blood and produces urine. They are located in the left and right of the backbone. Kidneys are a critical part of the urinary system.

Kidney is also called renal cancer. It starts in the kidney.

There are different types of kidney cancer. One of the most common is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It usually starts in the renal tubules which are the lining of the kidney. Often, it stays in the kidney, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. Renal carcinoma tumors can be classified into different types. The most common types are clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary.
Other types of kidney cancer are Wilms tumor, transitional cell carcinoma, and renal sarcoma.

What are the causes of kidney cancer?

Many risk factors contribute to the chance of having kidney cancer. But the factors are not yet clear on how the risk factors contribute to developing kidney cancer including smoking, obesity, genetics, high blood pressure, exposure to certain substances that increase the risk to have kidney cancer, race, and gender.

What are the symptoms if you have kidney cancer?

There are no signs when the cancer is in the early stage. However, as the tumor grows, you may have the following:
• Blood in the urine
• Pain in the lower back
• A lump in the lower back
or side of the waist
• Fever
• Night sweats or fatigue
• Weight loss

What can be done?

If you have the symptoms, have yourself checked. Treatment depends on your stage of kidney cancer, general health, age, and other factors. Your treatment can include one or more of the following options:

• Surgery
  It is the most common treatment. Most people with cancer in early stages (stages 1, 2, and 3) can be cured with surgery.
• Partial nephrectomy
  It the removal of tumor or part of the kidney with tumor, leaving behind as much of the kidney as possible.
• Radical nephrectomy
  It is a procedure where the entire kidney is removed. The surrounding tissues and lymph nodes
  may also be removed if needed.

Ask your doctor about the surgical approach that is best for you:

• Open
  It is a traditional surgery with a long incision.
• Laparoscopic
  It is a surgery done with a video camera and thin instruments for smaller incisions
• Robotic
  It is laparoscopic surgery done with the help of a robot
• Thermal ablation
  It is a procedure where the tumor is killed by burning or freezing it and is most often used for small tumors in people who are not good candidates for nephrectomy surgery.
• Active surveillance
  If the tumor is less than 4 centimeters, active surveillance is done. Mostly, small tumors grow slowly an

Desert Sky Urology provides exceptional urologic care to both men and women in Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix Arizona. Our board certified urologist provides specialized kidney cancer treatment plan.