Also known as renal cancer, Kidney cancer on the other hand is a disease in which kidney cells become cancerous and grow out of control, thereby, producing a tumor.
The kidney is an organ in the body that filters the blood, remove waste and enhance the production of urine . They are located behind the abdominal organs and one kidney on each sides of the spines.
Practically all kidney cancers first appear in the lining of tiny tubes (tubules) in the kidney. This type of cancer is called renal cell carcinoma and it is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.
However, young children are also more likely to develop a kind of cancer in the kidney called Wilms’ tumor. Apart from these two, other less common types of cancers in the kidney can occur as well.
Although doctors don’t know the exact causes of cancers in the kidney except the fact that cancer begins when some kidney cells develop changes in their DNA. Howbeit, chances of getting it can be as a result of factors such as;
• Age: People older than 40 are at the risk of developing kidney cancer
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Gender: Males are twice as likely to get kidney cancer than females
• Genetics
• High Blood Pressure
• Family history of kidney cancer
Most times, this type of cancers don’t display any signs or symptoms at the initial stages, and they also vary depending on the type of cancer, however, some symptoms associated with this condition are:
• Blood in the urine which may appear pink
• Weight loss without a definite cause
• Pain in the lower back of belly that doesn’t go away
• Fever without a cause
• Loss of appetite
• Lump in the lower back or side of the belly
• Being tired more than usual
Nevertheless, this condition can be prevented through the following measures.
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Control high blood pressure
• Stop smoking
• Avoid delaying urine
• Rest when required
• Give proper attention to your health and consult the doctor when you show signs of illness.
Since symptoms do not show at the early stages until it has spread to other organs in the body, it is important you consult a doctor in order to commence immediate treatment as soon as you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.
