What is kidney cancer?

Kidney cancer, or renal cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs located in the abdomen on either side of the spine. Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidneys grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumour.

According to a kidney cancer doctor in Kolkata, there are several kinds, but the most common type is renal cell carcinoma or RCC, which accounts for about 90% of cases. Other types include transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and Wilms tumour, which is a rare type of kidney cancer that mostly affects children.

What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?

As per the best oncologist in Kolkata, symptoms of kidney cancer are as follows.

1. Blood in the urine (hematuria)
2. Back pain, usually below the ribs and not relieved by changing positions
3. Abdominal pain or swelling
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Fatigue
6. Loss of appetite
7. Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
8. Fever that comes and goes
9. Swelling in the legs or ankles
10. High blood pressure (hypertension)

Causes of kidney cancer

Some of the common risk factors for kidney cancer include the following:

1. Age: Kidney cancer is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60.

2. Smoking: Smokers are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than non-smokers.

3. Obesity: Being obese or overweight increases the risk of developing kidney cancer.

4. High blood pressure: Having high blood pressure (hypertension) may increase the risk of kidney cancer.

5. Family history: Having a close family member with kidney cancer increases the risk of developing the disease.

6. Occupational exposure: Exposure to certain substances such as asbestos, cadmium, and organic solvents, has been linked to a high risk of kidney cancer.

7. Kidney disease: People with certain kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, are at an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.

Treatments of kidney cancer

The medical oncologist in Kolkata states below the common treatments for kidney cancer.

1. Radiation therapy: It uses high-energy rays to kill cancerous cells. It may be used to treat kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of your body or to relieve pain or other symptoms caused by cancer.

2. Chemotherapy: It uses drugs to kill cancerous cells. It is generally not very effective for treating kidney cancer but may be used in some cases.

3. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses drugs to help the immune system fight cancer cells. It has become an important treatment option for advanced kidney cancer.

4. Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific molecules or proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. It is often used for advanced kidney cancer.

5. Surgery: It is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. The kind of surgery performed depends on the stage and location of the tumour. In some cases, only a portion of the kidney may need to be removed (partial nephrectomy), while in other cases, the entire kidney may need to be removed (radical nephrectomy).