Understanding Kidney Cancer - Common Types and Symptoms
Kidney cancer begins when healthy cells in one or both kidneys change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a renal cortical tumor.
A tumor can be malignant ; it can grow and spread to other parts of the body or indolent ; it rarely spreads to other parts of the body or benign; the tumor can grow but will not spread.
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There are five types of Kidney cancer:
Lymphoma : A lymphoma is a cancer of lymphatic cells in the lymphatic system. Lymphomas are divided into two types – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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Renal cell carcinoma: It is the most common type of adult kidney cancer. It develops in the proximal renal tubules that make up the kidney’s filtration system.
Urothelial carcinoma: It begins in the area of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the bladder.
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Wilms tumor : It is most common in children and is treated differently from kidney cancer in adults.
What are the warning signs of Kidney cancer ?
Early kidney cancers do not usually cause any signs or symptoms, but larger ones might.
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Some possible warning signs and symptoms of kidney cancer are:
- Unexpected Weight loss
- Blood in the urine
- Low back pain on one side
- A mass (lump) on the side or lower back
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Loss of appetite
- Fever; caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away
- Anaemia