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Introduction
This type of cancer is relatively rare, accounting for
no more than 2 percent of adult cancer cases. Kidney
cancer is a disease in which the cells in certain
tissues of the kidney start to grow uncontrollably and
form tumors. As the cancer progresses, the cells may
also invade healthy nearby tissues, or break away and
travel through the bloodstream or lymph system to
other parts of the body in a process called
metastasis.
Causes
There is no known cause of kidney
cancer, but some scientists speculate that it may be
linked to cancer causing agents in the air or food
supply. Cigarette smoking certainly does increase the
risk. Rarely, certain genetic syndromes increase the
risk as well (specifically von Hippel-Lindau
syndrome).
Symptoms
The most common symptom of kidney cancer is blood
in the urine (hematuria). Pain in the side or on one
side of the lower back is also likely. Other potential
symptoms include fever, high blood pressure, fatigue,
loss of appetite and weight, and swelling of the
ankles and legs.
Treatment
Surgery is the primary treatment for kidney cancer.
This type of cancer does not respond well to other
standard forms of cancer treatment, such as
chemotherapy and radiation. The type of surgery you
will need depends on the extent, or stage, of the
disease, the size of the cancerous tumor or tumors,
your overall health, and the condition of the kidney.
The doctor may also suggest certain nonsurgical
treatments:
- Hormone therapy: Natural hormones sometimes promote
the growth of cancer cells. Special drugs are
available to block or remove these natural hormones
and slow the cancerous growth.
- Arterial embolization: This procedure blocks the
artery feeding the cancer. It may be performed prior
to surgery to kill some of the cancer cells, or may be
used alone for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
Side effects may include temporary nausea, vomiting or
pain.
- mmunotherapy: This
approach uses the body's own immune system to
better fight off and destroy cancer cells. This
treatment uses your body's immune system to fight
cancer. Normally produced by the body, these
substances are also made in laboratories. Studies
show that people may do better when they're
treated with both interferon and surgery, rather
than with interferon alone.
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