Know how to detect Renal Cell Carcinoma or Kidney Cancer | Dr. Purnendu Roy speaks |Genesis Hospital
DR. PURNENDU ROY
M.B.B.S, M.S, F.I.C.S, F.A.I.S, FAMS, D.UROL [ LONDON ]
Chairman & Managing Director : Genesis Group of Companies :
Genesis Hospital [ GH ] | Genesis Institute of Management & Technology
[ GIMT ] | Genesis Eduventure [ GE ] | Genesis Educational and Charitable Trust [ GECT ] | Orion Entertainment [ Orion Production & Communications Pvt. Ltd. ]
When cancer cells in the body grow out of control it forms a tumor or damaged tissue, when these cancer cells grow in the kidney, it is called Kidney Cancer.
The most common kidney cancer in adults is Renal Cell Carcinoma. It forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney. Cancers found in the center of the kidney are known as transitional cell carcinoma. Wilms tumor is a kidney cancer that very young children can get. On average, people are diagnosed with kidney cancer at around age 64. It’s rarely found in people younger than age 45.
The terms "tumor," "mass," or "lesion" are used to describe an abnormal growth in the kidney. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A fluid-filled sac, called a cyst, is the most common growth found in a kidney. Cysts are mostly not cancerous. Solid kidney tumors can be benign, but most often are found to be cancer.
Kidney cancer is one of the top 10 most common cancers diagnosed in the India. Nearly 15,000 people died from this disease in 2019. Of the people who are diagnosed early (stage I or II cancer), 75-80% will survive.
Kidney tumors may not hurt or show any signs. Sometimes a growth in the kidney can cause :
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 spreads (metastasizes) beyond the kidney, symptoms depend upon where it spreads. Short breath or coughing-up blood may occur when cancer is in the lung. Bone pain or fracture may occur when cancer is in the bone. Neurologic symptoms may occur when cancer is in the brain.
Cancer in the kidney is linked to 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
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists these tests most often used to diagnose kidney cancer :
Physical exam and history
Ultrasound exam
Urinalysis
Liver function test
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
CT scan (CAT scan or computed tomography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
If your tests show you have kidney cancer, you will want to talk with a cancer specialist. The doctors who can help include:
A urologist: a surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the urinary system and reproductive systems
A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy
The speed of your recovery depends on your treatment.
The best treatment is often the one that offers the best long-term outcome. If your surgeon removed one kidney and the remaining kidney works well, you should enjoy a good quality of life and health. One good kidney can usually do the work of two.
After treatment you will need continued checkups to watch for a re-growth of cancer. After treatment, your doctor will perform many of the same tests used to diagnose the cancer. These visits and tests should continue at least yearly throughout your life.
Protecting Your Kidney after Surgery
If the surgery leaves you with only one kidney, you should avoid a few things. For example, avoid major contact sports (e.g., football, karate or boxing), or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g., aspirin and ibuprofen). In rare cases, these drugs can cause kidney damage. Depending on how well your kidney functions, you may need to avoid dyes used in some imaging tests. You may also want to limit the salt and protein in your diet. Your urologist may recommend you see a Nephrologist for monitoring your kidney function after surgery. Treating problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, can help prevent future kidney damage.
A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as immunotherapy