Some Things You Should Keep in Mind about Renal Cell Carcinoma

The food you eat, the environment, pollution, and the lifestyle you lead are primary contributors in weakening the body and wreaking havoc on the body’s immune system, making people susceptible to various diseases such as cancer. But according to the American Cancer Society, cancer is not a new disease. It was first discovered about 3,000 years ago in Egypt.

What you should know about kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is the sixth among the common cancers that afflict American men. Of course, the disease does not exclude women, but the rate of occurrence is higher among men.

Renal cell carcinoma is commonly known as kidney cancer. The cancer of the kidneys develops when particular cells in the kidneys do not stop growing, developing into a malignant mass. You can learn more about kidney cancer by visiting https://belong.life/kidney-cancer.

Kidney cancer is treatable when discovered early. In some cases, some therapies can cure kidney cancers in the advanced stages. But if the cancer is not removed, the mass can interfere with the organ’s function. The growth can spread to other organs and tissues.

The risks associated with kidney cancer include smoking, overuse of some OTC pain killers, and exposure to heavy metals like cadmium and lead.

Detection of kidney cancer

A tumor on the kidney can grow to a large mass without giving you any symptoms. Most tumors are found only when a patient had a radiology study or a procedure for other symptoms. If you are going to your doctor for a physical, there is a chance that the doctor can feel a mass as he/she examines you.

A urinalysis can find cancer cells or blood in your urine, which is an indication that something is wrong with your kidneys. Other tests, such as the measurement of creatine levels can help, as it also evaluates the function of the kidneys and can detect if you have problems with your kidneys.

Other advanced technologies that can detect kidney cancer early include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound, and intravenous pyelogram (IVP). These imaging technologies provide doctors with very detailed images, which help doctors devise specific recommendations and treatment options.

Symptoms of kidney cancer

It is better to have a doctor examine you if you think there are problems with your kidneys because renal cell carcinoma does not give obvious symptoms. If you are suffering from these symptoms, you should visit your doctor.

• Blood in your urine
• Fever not related to an infection
• A mass in your abdomen
• Weight loss
• Persistent low back pain
• The feeling of poor health
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the legs

Recommended treatments

The primary option is the surgical removal of cancer, and the most common is called a radical nephrectomy. This type of surgery involves the removal of the entire kidney that is affected. Along with the kidney, the surgeon will likely remove the adrenal gland and some surrounding tissues. The remaining healthy kidney will take over all the kidney’s functions. The surgery prevents the patient from undergoing dialysis.

A newer surgical procedure is partial nephrectomy, which is recommended for small tumors. With this operation, only the portion that has the tumor is going to be removed. This procedure preserves the function of both kidneys.

To ensure that you remain healthy, get a regular checkup and visit your doctor when you feel any of the symptoms of kidney cancer.