Kidney cancer is a disease that develops when cancerous cells first grow in the tissues of the kidneys. This eMedTV article offers a detailed overview of this condition, including information about symptoms, treatment options, prognosis, and more.
As this eMedTV article explains, there are several types of kidney cancer. A few of these kidney cancer types include renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and Wilms' tumor. This Web page discusses these types of kidney cancer.
The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known. However, as this eMedTV resource explains, research has shown that people with certain risk factors (such as smoking or being obese) are more likely than others to develop kidney cancer.
In the case of kidney cancer, risk factors such as smoking increase the chances of developing the disease. This eMedTV segment discusses risk factors for kidney cancer, including being obese, having high blood pressure, and being male.
For people with kidney cancer, symptoms may include blood in the urine, pain in the side, and fever. This eMedTV Web page discusses a number of possible symptoms, including a lump or mass in the side or the abdomen, weight loss, and fatigue.
As this eMedTV page explains, diagnosing kidney cancer begins with asking questions and conducting a physical exam. This article talks about the process of diagnosing this condition, including information on blood tests, urine tests, CT scans, and more.
Kidney cancer stages are used to refer to the spread or extent of the disease. This section of the eMedTV library discusses the stages of kidney cancer, which include stages I through IV and recurrent cancer.
As this eMedTV page explains, treating kidney cancer may involve surgery, arterial embolization, or other treatments. This article takes an in-depth look at treating this disease, including information about second opinions, nutrition, and follow-up care.
A kidney cancer prognosis is an informed opinion as to the likely outcome of the disease. This eMedTV article describes the factors that affect a person's prognosis and provides information about survival rates for people with kidney cancer.
This eMedTV article discusses the concept of screening for kidney cancer, which involves testing people who are not yet experiencing symptoms of the disease. At this point, there is no routine, effective kidney cancer screening test available.
Kidney cancer prevention involves avoiding risk factors for the disease (such as smoking and being obese). This eMedTV page discusses how avoiding risk factors for kidney cancer that you can control may reduce the chances of developing the disease.
Kidney cancer research currently under way includes work being done on vaccines that may kill cancer cells. This eMedTV article discusses other research being conducted to better understand and treat kidney cancer.
Based on kidney cancer statistics, an estimated 38,890 people will be diagnosed with the disease in 2006. This eMedTV page discusses other statistics concerning kidney cancer, including survival rates, mortality rates, and age-at-diagnosis figures.
