Kidney cancer is a serious disease that affects the kidneys, two bean-shaped organs that filter waste products from the blood. Kidney cancer is the 10th most common cancer in men and the 14th most common cancer in women. It is estimated that about 72,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023.
Kidney cancer is often called a “silent killer” because it often does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. As the cancer grows, it can cause symptoms such as:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the side or back
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Kidney cancer is often treatable if it is diagnosed early.
The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing the disease. These factors include:
- Age: Kidney cancer is more common in older adults.
- Smoking: Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop kidney cancer than nonsmokers.
- Obesity: Obesity is a major risk factor for kidney cancer.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for kidney cancer.
- Family history: People with a family history of kidney cancer are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
There is no sure way to prevent kidney cancer, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. These include:
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Control your blood pressure.
- Get regular medical checkups.
If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Treatment options for kidney cancer may include:
- Surgery: Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or to kill any cancer cells that may have spread.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or to kill any cancer cells that may have spread.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs target specific molecules involved in cancer growth. Targeted therapy drugs can be very effective in shrinking tumors and improving survival rates.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs help to boost the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy drugs can also be very effective in shrinking tumors and improving survival rates.
The goal of treatment is to cure the cancer or to control it so that you can live a long and healthy life. With early diagnosis and treatment, the outlook for people with kidney cancer is good.
Kidney cancer is a serious disease, but it is also a treatable one. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with kidney cancer can live long and healthy lives. However, there is still much that we do not know about kidney cancer. Research is ongoing to better understand the causes of kidney cancer, to develop new and more effective treatments, and to improve the quality of life for people with kidney cancer.
There are many ways that you can support kidney cancer research. You can donate to kidney cancer research organizations, volunteer your time, or simply raise awareness about the disease. By supporting kidney cancer research, you can help to make a difference in the lives of people with kidney cancer and their families.