Many cases of renal cell carcinoma can be prevented by following guidelines for healthy living, such as not smoking, since cigarettes are responsible for a large percentage of cases. Many of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke are absorbed into the bloodstream by the lungs. Because the kidneys filter this blood, harmful chemicals can become highly concentrated in these organs. Several of these chemicals are known to damage kidney cell DNA in ways that can cause the normal cells to become cancerous cells. Workplace exposure to large amounts of hazardous substances such as cadmium, asbestos, and organic solvents can also increase your risk for renal cell cancer. Hypertension (high blood pressure) raises the risk level of developing kidney cancer, but it is not certain whether the risk is higher due to the medication needed to lower the pressure or the actual disease. In any event, medication should not be stopped to avoid the possibility of a risk factor. It is known that obesity alters your body’s hormonal balance, which controls the growth (both normal and abnormal) of many different tissues in the body, including kidney tissue. A healthy diet and exercise will not only afford the body the nutrients and oxygen to function more efficiently, they can offset the tendency to become obese as well as lower the blood pressure naturally.
Early kidney cancers do not usually cause any symptoms, but later stage cancers do. Some possible signs may include:
The process begins with the doctor taking a complete medical history to check for risk factors and symptoms, followed by a physical exam which can provide signs of kidney cancer such as a tumor. Unlike most other cancers, kidney cancer can often be diagnosed without the need for a biopsy, but the following tests may be included in the investigative process:
There are many options available to patients diagnosed with early and advanced kidney cancer. A doctor will discuss the best possibilities with each patient and, together, they will make a decision on a course of action. Treatment may include:
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