8 Risk factors causing kidney cancer

Kidney cancer develops as a result of the growth of malignant cells in the kidneys, and over the past two decades, the number of cases of kidney cancer worldwide has been gradually increasing. The cause of kidney cancer, which rarely gives symptoms until the last stages, is not entirely known. Reducing risk factor is required as in other cancer types to be protected from kidney disease that is considered they result from obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. Md. A. Egemen İşgören from Memorial Antalya Hospital, Department of Urology, gave information about kidney tumors and the treatment method.

It is known as old age disease.

Although 90% of kidney tumors are malignant, a tumor inside the kidney can also be benign. Over the past two decades, the number of cases of kidney cancer worldwide has been gradually increasing. More kidney cancer diagnoses are made at an early stage owing to more frequent use of imaging methods such as ultrasonography and computed tomography that are performed for other reasons. Kidney cancer most often occurs between the ages of 60 and 70 and is twice as common in men.

Pay attention to the causes that can lead to kidney cancer!

As in many types of cancer, the cause of kidney cancer is not completely known. It has been shown in the studies that some factors may pose a risk. These are.

• Old age is an important factor in the formation of kidney cancer, as well as in all types of cancer.
• Kidney cancer is twice as common in those who use tobacco and tobacco products. As the amount consumed per day increases and the consumption period increases, the risk increases even more.
• Obesity, especially seen in women, increases the risk of development of cancer.
• It is observed three times as common in the patients with high blood pressure.
• Kidney cysts and kidney cancers are more commonly seen in the patients who take regular dialysis due to renal failure.
• The risk of development of kidney cancer increases markedly in people born with certain hereditary diseases. Close monitoring of these patients and their families is recommended.
• The risk of development of kidney cancer is high in the patient who had previously undergone radiation therapy for the purpose of treatment or had been exposed to radiation for another reason.
• The risk of kidney cancer increases in employees of steel industry, petroleum, cadmium, lead industries, and those exposed to asbestos.

High blood pressure can be sign of cancer.

Kidney cancer in the early stages rarely leads to complaints. Kidney cancers that are detected by chance are easier to treat and are more likely to eliminate the cancer completely. In advanced kidney cancer, only 6-10% of patients have complaints such as bleeding in the urine, side pain, and palpable mass, and this indicates that the disease is progressing. In 30% of patients, complaints such as high blood pressure, anemia, fever, fatigue, and weight loss are observed.

Muscle is not damaged during surgery.

The standard method of treating kidney cancers is surgery. Considering the stage of cancer, the size of the mass, which part of the kidney the mass is in, and number of the mass, entire kidney or only the mass is removed by closed method. In open kidney surgeries, most of the muscles in lumbar region should be dissected. In laparoscopic surgeries, in other words, in closed surgeries, dissection of muscle is not required. This is because that kidney surgery can be performed between the muscles without damaging them by entering into abdominal cavity via thin tubes. The patient's recovery process is fast and he can easily return to his normal life a few days after the operation.

Prepared by the Medical Editorial Board. Our health library contents have been prepared for informational purposes only and with the scientific content on the registration date. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis or treatment about your health, please consult your doctor or health institution.