Kidney Cancer
According to Mayo Clinic, kidney cancer diagnoses are increasing, partly because modern imaging tests, such as CT scans, are used more frequently. These tests often detect kidney tumors incidentally while evaluating other health concerns.
The good news is that when kidney cancer is found this way, it is often identified at an early stage, when treatment is typically more effective.
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells begin growing in the kidneys—two bean-shaped organs about the size of a fist located on either side of the spine, behind the abdominal organs. The kidneys play a critical role in filtering waste from the blood and producing urine.
In adults, the most common types of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinoma and renal pelvis carcinoma, while children are more likely to develop a type called Wilms tumor. Although the exact cause of most kidney cancers is not known, the disease begins when cells in the kidney develop changes (mutations) in their DNA.
DNA contains the instructions that control how cells grow, divide, and die. In healthy cells, these instructions ensure that cells multiply at a normal rate and die when they should. In cancer cells, however, DNA changes cause cells to grow and divide rapidly while avoiding the normal process of cell death. As a result, too many abnormal cells accumulate.
These cancerous cells can form a mass known as a tumor, which may grow and invade nearby healthy tissue. Over time, some cancer cells may break away from the tumor and spread to other parts of the body—a process known as metastasis or metastatic cancer.
Symptoms
Kidney cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms at first. In time, signs and symptoms may develop, including:
- Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red or cola colored
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the side or back that doesn’t go away
- Tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
Let’s discuss your kidney health and any concerning symptoms.
To learn more, contact a provider or one of our locations — or schedule an appointment.