Recognizing, Diagnosing and Treating Kidney Cancer

Article written by Dr. Hari Nair, medical oncologist at Bronson Oncology and Hematology Specialists.

Kidney function is important to your overall health and well-being. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from your blood and producing urine. Kidney cancer affects nearly half a million people across the world and more than 80,000 people in the United States every year.

What is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is formed when normal kidney cells grow at a rapid rate. This leads to tumors. The most common form of kidney cancer – making up about 90% of kidney cancer cases – is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Other less common types of kidney cancer include transitional cell carcinoma (also known as urothelial carcinoma), sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumor and Wilms' tumor (which is mainly seen in children).

Causes and Risk Factors

While experts do not know the exact cause of kidney cancer, several risk factors can increase your risk:

• Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that can harm kidney cells. This increases the chance of tumors forming.
• Obesity: Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of kidney cancer due to hormonal changes and inflammation.
  
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure strains the kidneys. This can lead to tissue damage and increase risk of kidney cancer.
  
• Chemicals: Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, cadmium and trichloroethylene, has been linked to kidney cancer.
  
• Genetic risk factors: Those with a family history of kidney cancer are at higher risk of developing it, too. This is due to certain genetic mutations that can be carried from one generation to the next.

Signs and Symptoms

Kidney cancer does not often display symptoms in the early stages. However, as the tumor grows and spreads, the following symptoms can occur:

• Blood in the urine
• Persistent pain in the lower back or the side of the back
• A lump in the abdomen
• Constant fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fever and drenching night sweats
• Swelling in the legs and feet

If you notice one or more of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor right away. Though they can be a sign of many different health concerns, they are often warning signs of kidney cancer.

Prevention

While kidney cancer may not be entirely prevented, living a healthy lifestyle will keep you at a lower risk level. Healthy habits to live by include:

• Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke exposure. If you are a current smoker, consider quitting.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a balanced diet, and exercise at least 30 minutes per day, four days a week.
• Manage high blood pressure.
• Limit contact with harmful chemicals and toxins. If you work in an industry where you might be exposed to chemicals, speak with your supervisor to see if there are precautions you can take.
• Go to regular check-ups and screenings with your doctor! This helps establish a baseline for your health and helps you detect potential health concerns early.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing kidney cancer can be done using assessments such as:

• Physical exam
• Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scans and MRI scans can detect the size of a tumor and how far it may have spread.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is removing a small tissue sample from the kidney to exam it under a microscope. This helps confirm the presence of cancer cells and reveal the type of kidney cancer.

Treatment Options

If diagnosed, you will be referred to a cancer specialist. They may suggest one or more types of treatments depending on the cancer type, stage and your overall health. Common treatment options include:

• Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor and, if necessary, part or all of the affected kidney. This approach can potentially cure kidney cancer.
• Targeted therapy: Drugs that block certain cellular pathways involved in cancer growth are used for advanced kidney cancer.
• Immunotherapy: Drugs that enhance the body’s own immune system and its ability to find and attack cancer cells are used alone or with other treatments for advanced kidney cancer.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is not always effective against kidney cancer. However, in certain situations, when the cancer has progressed after immunotherapy and targeted therapy, chemotherapy may be an option.
• Radiation therapy: Most kidney cancers do not respond very well to radiation. Because of this, it is not a common treatment for this type of cancer.

Early detection and starting treatment as soon as possible can improve outcome. The prognosis for kidney cancer depends on factors like:

• The stage at which it is found.
• Overall patient health.
• How well the treatment reacts within one’s body.

Exceptional Cancer Care

If you receive a cancer diagnosis, trust southwest Michigan’s most preferred healthcare system. Bronson Cancer Center – with locations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo - offers a comprehensive approach to care that surrounds patients with the expertise, technology, resources and positivity needed at every stage of the cancer journey. Learn more about Bronson's regional cancer program.