- Kidney cancer: in the early stages the prognosis is favorable
- How is
Why can develop kidney cancer
There are several types of kidney cancer, but the most common of these is adenocarcinoma (renal cell, clear cell) - a malignant tumor originating from the renal epithelium. Contributing factors contributing to the development of adenocarcinoma of the kidney are genetic predisposition, various hereditary diseases of the kidneys, ionizing radiation, immune disorders, various intoxications (eg, smoking), injuries, chronic inflammatory processes.
In most adenocarcinoma located in the renal cortex (usually on one of its poles) it has a rounded shape and a soft consistency. The tumor may grow as buds inside and out (mostly).
How is kidney cancer
Initially, kidney cancer goes unnoticed. But gradually there are three main symptoms of the disease: pain in the lumbar region, blood in the urine
Blood in the urine - a reason for serious concern
, A tumor, which can be felt in the lumbar region. These symptoms have usually indicates advanced disease. All signs of kidney cancer are divided into renal and extrarenal.
Renal signs of kidney cancer include blood in the urine appearance, a large number of white blood cells (pus), protein and cylinders (protein cell formations shaped cylinders). These same features are aching pain in the lumbar region and palpable tumor.
By extrarenal signs of cancer
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kidney include increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, weakness, weight loss, varicose veins of the spermatic cord (varicocele), changes in the blood (anemia, accelerated ESR).
Blood in the urine in the kidney adenocarcinoma is permanent painless character. It is caused by damage to blood vessel walls resulting in tumor invasion or rupture variceal kidney. Blood clots can form, if they are formed in the ureter, then take wormlike shape and sometimes clog ureter, causing renal colic attack.
Temperature increase in renal cancer is often the earliest sign of the disease, unlike other cancer where it is a late indication. Fever may be permanent or may subside and reappear. The pain usually occurs in advanced cases and depends on the involvement in the process of tumor surrounding tissue and nerves. Sometimes the pain is similar to the pain of sciatica. Selected at probing the tumor is often the only sign of renal adenocarcinoma. Varicocele can develop as a result of compression of tumor testicular vein.
The most common tumor metastasizes to the lungs, bones, nearby lymph nodes, liver, adrenal glands, brain and kidney opposite. Comparatively rarely metastasis detected in the ovary, breast, vaginal wall, bladder
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, In the heart, spleen.
Suspected kidney cancer can occur during the initial examination and the presence of the triad characteristic signs (pain and swelling in the lower back, blood in the urine). In this case, carry out further examination of the patient, which includes ultrasound, various types of X-ray examination, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radioisotope studies, laboratory tests of blood and urine. If necessary, a biopsy of the tumor (the taking of the tumor for research in the laboratory).
What to do
Radical treatment for kidney cancer is nephrectomy - removal of the kidney. This contraindication for surgery is not even the presence of single metastases
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As well as the removal of a kidney can greatly extend the life of the patient. At the same time removed all the nearby lymph nodes. If it was possible to detect the disease at an early stage, in some cases, a kidney can not save.
In addition to the surgical treatment prescribed radiation therapy, immunotherapy and anti-tumor agents (interferon-alpha, interleukin-2). But these tools are complementary, they are only used in a combination therapy.
The result of treatment depends on how far through the process of tumor and whether there is metastasis. In the early stages of the disease prognosis may be favorable.
Kidney cancer - a serious disease that is often found in the already advanced stages.
Galina Romanenko