What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and grow uncontrollably in the kidney. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine in the upper abdomen. Their main functions include:
Filtering waste products from the blood
Producing urine
Regulating blood pressure
Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance
The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cancer)
How Common is Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60, although it can occur at any age. It is slightly more common in men than women.
Many kidney cancers are now detected incidentally during imaging tests (such as ultrasound or CT scans) performed for other medical reasons.
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Early kidney cancer may cause no symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they may include:
Blood in the urine (haematuria)
Pain in the side or lower back
A lump or swelling in the abdomen or flank
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Fever without infection
These symptoms can also occur with other conditions, so medical evaluation is important.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the risk of kidney cancer.
Smoking
Smoking significantly increases the risk of kidney cancer.
Obesity
Excess body weight is associated with a higher risk.
High Blood Pressure
Long-standing hypertension may increase the risk.
Family History
A family history of kidney cancer may increase risk.
Certain Genetic Conditions
Rare inherited conditions may predispose individuals to kidney cancer.
Long-Term Dialysis
Patients on long-term dialysis may have an increased risk.
How is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?
Kidney cancer is usually detected through imaging tests.
Imaging Tests
Ultrasound
May detect a mass in the kidney.
CT Scan
A CT scan is the most common imaging test used to diagnose kidney cancer. It provides detailed images of the kidneys and surrounding structures.
MRI Scan
MRI may be used in some cases to further evaluate the kidney or surrounding blood vessels.
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Blood and Urine Tests
Blood tests may be used to assess:
Kidney function
Red blood cell levels
General health
Urine tests may detect blood in the urine.
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Biopsy
In some cases, a kidney biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. A small sample of tissue is taken from the kidney and examined under a microscope.
However, biopsy is not always required before treatment.
Staging of Kidney Cancer
If kidney cancer is diagnosed, further tests may be performed to determine whether the cancer has spread.
This process is called staging and may involve:
CT scans
Chest imaging
Blood tests
Staging helps guide treatment decisions.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on several factors including the size of the tumour, stage of the cancer, and overall health of the patient.
Active Surveillance
For small kidney tumours, particularly in older patients or those with other medical conditions, the tumour may be monitored with regular imaging.
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Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer.
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Partial Nephrectomy
The surgeon removes only the tumour and a small margin of surrounding kidney tissue, preserving the rest of the kidney.
This approach is often used for smaller tumours.
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Radical Nephrectomy
The entire kidney is removed, sometimes along with surrounding tissue and nearby lymph nodes.
This procedure may be recommended for larger tumours.
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Minimally Invasive Treatments
In selected patients, treatments such as radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation may be used to destroy small tumours without removing the kidney.
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Systemic Therapy
If kidney cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatment may include:
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
These medications help control cancer growth.
Prognosis
The outlook for kidney cancer depends largely on how early it is detected.
When kidney cancer is found at an early stage and treated surgically, outcomes are generally very good.
Many patients live normal lives with one functioning kidney.
When to Seek Medical Advice
You should see your doctor if you experience:
Blood in the urine
Persistent flank or back pain
Unexplained weight loss
A lump in the abdomen
Early evaluation allows for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Follow-Up After Treatment
After treatment, regular follow-up is important to monitor for recurrence.
Follow-up may include:
Imaging scans (CT or ultrasound)
Blood tests
Clinical review
The frequency of follow-up depends on the stage and risk of recurrence.
