Causes of Renal Cancer

Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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The cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but possible factors include: First, smoking, which is a relative risk factor for kidney cancer. Second, obesity and hypertension. Third, occupation, with reports indicating that long-term exposure to metallic lead, print industry workers, coke workers, and workers shows increased risks of incidence and mortality from kidney cancer. Fourth, radiation, where long-term exposure to certain sources of radiation may increase the risk of kidney cancer. Fifth, there is a certain relation to genetics. Sixth, dietary factors, as studies have found that high intake of dairy products, animal protein, and fat, and low intake of fruits and vegetables, are also risk factors for kidney cancer.

Other Voices

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Kidney cancer most commonly metastasizes to which locations?

Kidney cancer clinically tends to metastasize through direct spread, the lymphatic pathway, and the hematogenous pathway. The lymphatic route often involves enlargement of the perirenal lymph nodes or the lymph nodes in the groin or retroperitoneum. Kidney cancer is also prone to metastasize to the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts via the bloodstream. Similarly, kidney cancer can spread to the perirenal area, ureters, bladder, and other parts through direct extension. Once kidney cancer metastasizes to other organs, it is considered to be in the advanced stages clinically, and treatment primarily involves targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and other comprehensive treatment measures, with surgical treatment not being used as the primary anti-tumor treatment. Once kidney cancer has metastasized, the clinical staging is late, and the prognosis for the patients is poor.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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How is kidney cancer diagnosed?

Hematuria, pain, and lumps are the main symptoms of kidney cancer. If one or two of these symptoms appear, the possibility of kidney cancer should be considered. About half of the patients are found to have incidental kidney cancers, also known as asymptomatic kidney cancers, during physical examinations through incidental findings on ultrasound or CT scans. Some may show early symptoms of metastasis making the diagnosis quite challenging. The preoperative diagnosis of kidney cancer relies on the results of medical imaging examinations such as ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans. CT scans have a very high confirmation rate for kidney cancer and are currently the most reliable imaging method for diagnosing kidney cancer.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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early symptoms of kidney cancer

Early symptoms may include hematuria, which is often painless, intermittent, and visible throughout. Hematuria caused by renal cancer is often due to blood clots blocking the fallopian tubes, and the clots can form stripes through the ureter. Secondly, back pain may occur, which is another common symptom of kidney cancer. It is mostly dull pain felt in the back and may be caused by the growth of the tumor. Thirdly, a mass may appear, which can be felt in the abdomen during a medical examination. Generally, feeling a mass in the abdomen is possibly a symptom of the advanced stage.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can renal cancer be detected by ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a type of imaging examination that can observe the size, shape, structure, texture, and the presence of masses in the organs being examined. It can be used to determine if a patient potentially has kidney-related masses, such as differentiating between a kidney cyst and kidney cancer based on differences in shape and blood supply that malignant tumors typically exhibit compared to other conditions. However, using ultrasound to diagnose kidney cancer can be inaccurate, particularly in the early stages of the disease when ultrasound may not provide a clear view, and some complex cases of kidney cancer may still be indeterminate. Therefore, patients might consider undergoing an enhanced CT scan, which offers a higher diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, a kidney biopsy and pathological examination might be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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Are kidney cancer and uremia the same?

Kidney cancer and uremia are not the same disease; they are different. Kidney cancer is primarily caused by malignant tumors in the kidney, while uremia results from renal failure of both kidneys, leading to anuria. Kidney cancer requires surgical treatment, followed by postoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy, molecular therapy, gene therapy, and so on. Patients with uremia generally need to be treated through hemodialysis.