You have a pair of kidneys that perform various bodily functions. They filter your blood and excrete out waste material. Your kidneys maintain the homeostasis of your body. They keep the required amount of minerals, fluids, and electrolytes from the diet you intake and excrete the excess substances that your body does not need as urine. If your kidneys do not work well, it can become life-threatening because the waste keeps accumulating in your body. To get your blood free from toxins and waste material, your healthcare providers perform dialysis. It helps cleanse your blood. Your kidneys perform an essential job. Therefore they are vital organs. You must take care of your kidney health.
Kidney cancer is the unprogrammed growth of cells that starts in the kidney. If left untreated, cancer can spread to other body parts too. In adults, the type of kidney cancer, known as renal cell carcinoma is common. Whereas in children, a type of kidney cancer known as Wilms tumor is common.
Generally, kidney cancer is detected at an early stage when it has not spread to the other parts of your body. Nowadays, kidney cancers are detected early because CT scans are quite common. To get an insight into your kidney health, your healthcare providers perform a CT scan through which cancers can be detected earlier.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Cancer?
Usually, kidney cancer does not show any such signs and symptoms. However, it may show the following symptoms:
- Blood in the urine that may appear red or cola-colored
- Pain in the back that does not go away
- Loss of appetite that leads to weight loss
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Fever
If you have any of these signs and symptoms, you must seek professional help. You must consult with a healthcare provider about your kidney health. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Best Nephrologist in Lahore.
What Causes Kidney Cancer?
There is no exact cause for kidney cancer. It occurs when a genetic mutation occurs in the DNA that causes your cells to multiply uncontrollably and eventually results in cancer.
If cancer remains untreated for a long time, it can spread to other organs- a condition known as metastases.
What Are The Risk Factors For Kidney Cancer?
Factors that can increase the risk of kidney cancer are:
Older age
As you age, the risk of kidney cancer increases for you. However, it can occur in young individuals too.
Smoking
People who smoke cigarettes are at increased risk of getting kidney cancer. Therefore if you smoke, try to quit it as soon as possible. If you find it hard, you can seek professional help for it.
Obesity
People who are obese are at an increased risk of developing kidney cancer compared to those who have a healthy weight according to the body mass index.
Hypertension
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the chances of getting kidney cancer.
Kidney Failure Treatment
People who undergo long-term dialysis because of kidney failure are at increased risk of developing kidney cancer.
Inherited Syndromes
Not all, but some inherited syndromes can increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. It can happen due to von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, or familial renal cancer.
Family History
Having a family history of kidney cancer can increase the risk for you too. It can happen if your mother, father, or siblings have it.
How Can You Prevent Kidney Cancer?
There is nothing certain and exact to prevent kidney cancer. However, certain factors can play a role, such as:
- Quit smoking as soon as possible
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, shed those extra pounds. You can also seek professional help if you find it difficult to lose weight.
- Monitor your blood pressure, especially if you have hypertension. Please do not keep your blood pressure uncontrolled. If it does not get managed with the already prescribed medications, consult your healthcare provider. They might change the medications or increase the dose. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to various complications. Therefore monitor it closely and attend follow-up visits with your healthcare provider.
The Bottom Line
Your kidneys are a vital organ. Therefore take care of them. If you have any symptoms of kidney cancer, consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible. For more information, you can visit oladoc.com.
