The kidneys are a pair of organs on either side of the spine in the lower abdomen. One kidney is just to the left and the other just to the right of the backbone. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. A mass of fatty tissue and an outer layer of fibrous tissue (Gerota's fascia) enclose the kidneys and adrenal glands. The kidneys' main job is to filter the blood and rid the body of excess water, salt, and waste products. In adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (renal adenocarcinoma), which begins in the cells that line the small tubes within your kidneys. Kidney cancer seldom causes problems in its early stages. Kidney cancer cells may also spread (metastasize) outside your kidneys to nearby organs as well as to more distant sites in the body. Yet if kidney cancer is detected and treated early, the chances for a full recovery are good. Tens of thousands of people in the United States are living normal healthy lives with just 1 kidney. Some people may not have any working kidneys at all, and survive with the help of a medical procedure called dialysis.

Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first begins, and kidney cancer is no exception. As kidney cancer grows, it may invade organs near the kidney. Kidney cancer begins in the kidneys two large, bean-shaped organs one located to the left, and the other to the right of the backbone. Some of the areas it affects are the liver , colon, and pancreas . Renal is the Latin word for kidney, and kidney cancer may also be referred to as renal cancer. Kidney cancer cells may also break away from the original tumor and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. When kidney cancer spreads, cancer cells may appear in the lymph nodes.

Causes of Kidney Cancer

The common Causes and risk factors of Kidney Cancer :

Smoking.
High blood pressure.
Obesity.
Poor diet.
Tuberous sclerosis.
Family history.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Some Symptoms of Kidney Cancer :

A lump or mass in the kidney area.
Weight loss.
High blood pressure.
Side pain that does not go away.
Blood in the urine.
Loss of appetite.
Fever.
Fatigue.

Treatment of Kidney Cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells, and is also sometimes used to relieve pain when kidney cancer has spread to the bone.
Biological therapy is a treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Hormone therapy is used in a small number of patients with advanced kidney cancer to try to control the growth of cancer cells.
The whole kidney is removed along with the adrenal gland, tissue around the kidney, and, sometimes, lymph nodes in the area.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

Disclaimer : All information on www.family-health-guide.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.