Kidney cancer



Kidney cancer





Kidney cancer is also known as nephrocarcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hypernephroma, and Grawitz’s tumor. It usually occurs in older adults, with about 85% of tumors originating in the kidneys and others resulting from metastasis from other primary sites. Renal pelvic tumors and Wilms’ tumor occur primarily in children.

Kidney tumors—which are usually large, firm, nodular, encapsulated, unilateral,
and solitary—can be separated histologically into clear cell, granular, and spindle cell types. The 5-year survival rate for patients with kidney cancer is about 50%; the 10-year survival rate is lower.


Causes

The cause of kidney cancer is unknown. However, the incidence of this cancer is rising, possibly as a result of exposure to environmental carcinogens as well as increased longevity. Even so, kidney cancer accounts for only about 2% of all adult cancers. It’s twice as common in men as in women and usually affects patients older than age 40.


Signs and symptoms

Kidney cancer produces a classic triad of signs and symptoms—hematuria, pain, and a palpable mass—but any one may be the first indication of cancer. Microscopic or gross hematuria (which may be intermittent) suggests that the cancer has spread to the renal pelvis.

Constant abdominal or flank pain may be dull or, if the cancer causes bleeding or blood clots, acute and colicky. The mass is generally smooth, firm, and nontender. All three signs of kidney cancer coexist in only about 10% of patients.

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Jun 16, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL & FAMILY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Kidney cancer

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