Renal cancer is a malignant tumor of the kidney, which is most often a carcinoma and develops either from the epithelium of the proximal tubules and collecting ducts, or from the epithelium of the pelvicalyceal system.

In Kazakhstan, in the structure of morbidity, kidney cancer occupies the 8th place, more than 1200 cases of malignant neoplasms are detected annually for the first time in life, and mortality is more than 300 cases.

Causes of the disease and risk factors:

Age. More often it is diagnosed in people aged 50-70 years - Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Inherited gene mutations can increase the chance of developing kidney cancer.

Gender. Men are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than women.

Exposure to chemicals. Some chemicals - asbestos, cadmium, organic solvents - can significantly increase the risk of developing kidney cancer.

Long-term dialysis. Patients on long-term dialysis may develop cysts in the kidneys, which can contribute to the development of kidney cancer.

Smoking. The risk of developing kidney cancer in smokers is 2 times higher than in non-smokers.

Overweight. Eating high-calorie foods that contribute to obesity leads to an increased risk of getting sick.

The presence of risk factors does not necessarily mean that a kidney tumor will appear, but it increases the likelihood.

Symptoms of kidney cancer:

In the early stages, symptoms may not appear. It should be noted the symptoms of kidney cancer, which may indirectly indicate a possible disease:

hematuria (blood in the urine);

the presence of swelling in the lumbar region, which can be detected by probing;

deterioration in general condition, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite;

increase in body temperature;

swelling of the legs;

anemia;

causeless increase in blood pressure;

pain in the kidney area.

In a few tens of percent of cases, kidney cancer does not show symptoms in any way and is detected quite by accident - during a preventive examination or an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs (ultrasound) for some other disease. Only an experienced specialist can detect the disease at an early stage or confirm its absence.

Diagnostics:

When diagnosing kidney cancer, the following research methods are used:

ultrasound, which helps to distinguish a tumor from another formation;

x-ray diagnostics: radiography (including renal angiography, urography, etc.);

CT scan;

laboratory tests of blood and urine.

In difficult cases, when other studies are not informative, the latest PET-CT examination method is used for diagnosis.

It should be noted that tumor biopsy is contraindicated, as it can provoke the spread of the disease.

Doctor's recommendations for the prevention of kidney cancer:

The main prevention of the disease is to give up bad habits, such as smoking, alcohol abuse. Also, if possible, avoid contact with chemicals (asbestos, cadmium, etc.). Adhere to the basic rules of a healthy diet, an active lifestyle.

If you have any suspicions or want to be examined in our clinic, please call the Call Center 8(7172)702-911. Here, you can get qualified advice from urologists, surgical oncologists and transplantologists, as well as the full range of diagnostic services and the definition of treatment tactics.