Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer

Uncommon in individuals under the age of 45, renal cell carcinoma affects our bodys natural filtration system, the kidneys. The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma typically begins as a small tumor that grows larger over time. Although the cancer doesnt always cause immediate symptoms, see your doctor immediately if you notice blood in your urine, a key warning sign called hematuria. Although 3 other kidney cancers exist, renal cell carcinoma accounts for 9 out of 10 cases. You have a higher risk of developing a kidney cancer if you have an advanced kidney disease or a family history of kidney cancer, are exposed to certain chemicals like asbestos or have certain genetic conditions. Kidney cancer is often found by accident; this is because tumors can grow large without causing symptoms and small tumors can be difficult to see in CT scans or MRIs. Still, if youre at risk for this cancer, a CT scan or MRI may help a doctor catch the cancer early.

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QHow is kidney cancer diagnosed?

3 Answers

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A National Kidney Foundation answered
To diagnose kidney cancer, your healthcare provider will check your general health and may do blood and urine tests. He or she may also feel your abdominal area for any lumps or masses. The doctor usually orders tests and images of the kidneys and nearby organs. These may include:

CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound, which can show if a tumor is present and help tell whether it is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)

IVP (intravenous pyelogram), a series of x-rays that use an injection of dye to better view the kidneys

If the diagnosis is still unclear after the above tests, a biopsy may be needed. This test is done by checking a sample of tissue under the microscope for cancer cells.

If kidney cancer is found, your healthcare provider will decide the stage of the disease in order to plan treatment. This may mean more MRI and x-ray studies. Arteriography (x-rays of the blood vessels) may be done to give your doctor more information about what type of treatment is needed. A chest x-ray can help show whether the cancer has spread to your lungs, and bone scans can show whether it has spread to your bones.
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QWhat are the symptoms of kidney cancer?

3 Answers

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A Intermountain Healthcare answered

There are rarely symptoms in the early stages of kidney cancer. In later stages the symptoms may include blood in the urine, back pain just below the ribs that doesn’t go away, unexplainable weight loss, fatigue and intermittent fever.

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QWhat is renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

Renal cell cancer (also called kidney cancer or renal adenocarcinoma) is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the lining of tubules (very small tubes) in the kidney. There are 2 kidneys, one on each side of the backbone, above the waist. The tiny tubules in the kidneys filter and clean the blood, taking out waste products and making urine. The urine passes from each kidney into the bladder through a long tube called ureters. The bladder stores the urine until it is passed from the body.
Cancer that starts in the ureters or the renal pelvis (the part of the kidney that collects urine and drains it to the ureters) is different from renal cell cancer.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute
QWhat are the risk factors for renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

Risk factors for renal cell cancer include the following:
Smoking
Misusing certain pain medicines, including over-the-counter pain medicines, for a long time
Having certain genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma.

This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
QWhat are the signs of renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

Possible signs of renal cell cancer include blood in the urine and a lump in the abdomen. These and other symptoms may be caused by renal cell cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. There may be no symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms may appear as the tumor grows. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
Blood in the urineA lump in the abdomenA pain in the side that doesn't go awayLoss of appetiteWeight loss for no known reasonAnemia
This answer is based on source information from The U.S National Institutes of Health.
QHow is renal cell cancer diagnosed?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken. Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it. Liver function test: A procedure in which a sample of blood is checked to measure the amounts of enzymes released into it by the liver. An abnormal amount of an enzyme can be a sign that cancer has spread to the liver. Certain conditions that are not cancer may also increase liver enzyme levels. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder to find out if cancer is present in these organs. A contrast dye is injected into a vein. As the contrast dye moves through the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages. Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. To do a biopsy for renal cell cancer, a thin needle is inserted into the tumor and a sample of tissue is withdrawn.

This answer is based on source information from National Cancer Institute.
QWhat factors affect my prognosis with renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
The stage of the disease The patient's age and general health
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
QHow is the spread of renal cell cancer diagnosed?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the kidney or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process:
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.Bone scan: A procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.
This answer is based on source information from The U.S National Institutes of Health.
QWhat are the stages of renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Dr. William D. Knopf, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of Piedmont Heart Institute

Stage I: In stage I, the tumor is 7 centimeters or smaller and is found only in the kidney.
Stage II: In stage II, the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters and is found only in the kidney.
Stage III: In stage III, cancer is found:
In the kidney and in 1 nearby lymph node; or In an adrenal gland or In the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney, and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node; or in the main blood vessels of the kidney and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node
Stage IV: In stage IV, cancer has spread:
Beyond the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney and may be found in 1 nearby lymph node; or To 2 or more nearby lymph nodes; or To other organs, such as the bowel, pancreas, or lungs, and may be found in nearby lymph nodes
This answer is based upon source information from the National Cancer Institute.
QWhat is recurrent renal cell cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

Recurrent renal cell cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back many years after initial treatment, in the kidney or in other parts of the body.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.