Also known as renal cancer, kidney cancer develops as a result of the growth of malignant cells in the kidneys. The growth of these cells can go out of control forming a tumor in the organ.

Most cases of renal cancer begin in the kidney tubules. But they are usually diagnosed even before they metastasize or spread to other areas of the body. While this can be a good thing, many of the malignant kidney tumors grow so large even before they’re detected.

Causes and Risk Factors

Like most cancer types, the exact cause of kidney cancer is still unknown though researchers found out that there are things that increase one’s chance of developing this cancer type. These include the following:

• Smoking
  Contrary to what many people think, smoking isn’t just a risk factor in lung cancer. In fact, it’s a risk factor for many types of cancer including renal cancer. The risk of getting kidney cancer is twice for smokers than nonsmokers.
  
  

• Gender
  Although kidney cancer can affect both men and women, this is seen to be more common in males than females.
  
  

• Obesity
  Obesity has an effect on hormones that can trigger the growth of malignant cells in the kidneys.
  
  

• Long-term use of pain medications
  It’s generally fine to use pain medications unless they are use long-term. Long-term use of pain medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription drugs, increases one’s chance of getting renal cancer.
  
  

• Chemical exposure
  Exposure to chemicals such as asbestos, cadmium, or benzene is associated to an increased risk of kidney cancer.
  
  

• Lymphoma
  The link between kidney cancer and lymphoma is still not clear but individuals who have lymphoma are seen to have more chances of getting renal cancer.

Symptoms

• Hematuria (presence of blood in the urine)

• Lump in the abdomen or felt at the side

• Loss of appetite

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fever that lasts for weeks  

• Swelling in lower extremities (ankle and legs)

When cancer cells spread to other areas, it may cause difficulty in breathing, coughing up of blood, and bone pain.

Treatment and Prognosis

One of the most common forms of treatment for kidney cancer is surgery. The type of surgery depends on the stage and severity of cancer. The procedure suggested by an oncologist can be radical nephrectomy, simple nephrectomy, or partial nephrectomy.

If surgery doesn’t help, the doctor may suggest other treatment options including cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and arterial embolization.