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 Gong Chun
Oncology
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What are the early symptoms of kidney cancer?

Many cases of kidney cancer often have no obvious symptoms in their early stages and are not discovered until the tumor progresses. After the tumor progresses, symptoms may include hematuria, which can be intermittent, painless, and visible throughout its course. There may also be back pain and a lump in the abdomen, which is evident in about twenty percent of cases. Slim individuals might find it easier to detect such lumps. There are also some extrarenal manifestations including fever, weight loss, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, hypertension, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, liver function impairment, etc. These symptoms might appear in the early stages. However, symptoms can vary from person to person.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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What is good to eat after kidney cancer surgery?

If kidney cancer is detected early, it can be cured through surgery. Unlike some malignant tumors, kidney cancer has good treatment outcomes. If the cancer is less than four centimeters in diameter, the five-year survival rate after surgery can exceed 90%. If it is less than seven centimeters, the five-year survival rate after surgery can also reach 80%. Even if the cancer has metastasized to distant sites, removing the kidney can still help the patient's survival. Therefore, the earlier the tumor is detected, the better the treatment outcomes. Kidney cancer surgery is generally done through laparoscopy or open surgery. Postoperative diet should be high in protein, fiber, and nutrients, as the healing of the kidney cancer incision also requires a solid nutritional foundation. It is necessary to eat less spicy and stimulating food, and to maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet. The most important thing for kidney cancer is to have regular follow-ups to understand the recovery situation and check for any recurrence or metastasis of the tumor.

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Written by Li Yuan Wei
Urology
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Clinical manifestations of renal cancer

The clinical manifestations and staging of kidney cancer are related to the most common early-stage kidney cancer, late-stage kidney cancer, or metastatic kidney cancer. Generally, early-stage kidney cancer exhibits few clinical symptoms and is often detected during physical examinations, through ultrasonography of the urinary tract, or kidney ultrasonography, where tumors are the most commonly found. Additionally, later stages of kidney cancer often present as swelling pain in the waist area or occasional hematuria. More serious conditions involve feeling a mass in the upper abdomen upon palpation, which is a clinical manifestation. Nowadays, with heightened awareness for health checks, such conditions are generally discovered through these examinations. When major clinical manifestations like hematuria and abdominal masses occur, it indicates that the kidney tumor has already progressed to the mid or late stages.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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kidney cancer immunotherapy drugs

The immunotherapy for kidney cancer often involves the use of interferons or interleukins, and the results are generally satisfactory. The effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for kidney cancer are not very certain. Typically, after kidney cancer is diagnosed, radical nephrectomy is performed. During the surgery, adequate exposure is essential. The renal hilum should be ligated first to prevent cancer cells from being squeezed into the bloodstream during surgery. It is also necessary to remove the fascia and fat around the kidney, along with the lymph nodes at the renal hilum. Combining these surgical measures with immunotherapy usually yields very ideal results.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Will there be metastasis after kidney cancer removal?

Currently, all malignancies tend to metastasize. Renal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the kidney in the urinary system. Generally, patients might not exhibit any symptoms in the early stages. The most common symptoms are usually back pain and hematuria, and some patients are diagnosed due to an abdominal mass. The primary treatment for renal cancer is surgical intervention, which is considered the preferred method and is believed to be potentially curative. For patients with stage I, II, III, and IV renal cancer, the survival rates decrease progressively. Patients with stage I and II renal cancer should have follow-ups every three to six months for three consecutive years after surgery, and then annually. Patients with stage III and IV renal cancer should have follow-ups every three months for two years post-treatment, then monthly in the third year, and annually thereafter. Early detection of metastasis is crucial for timely treatment. Therefore, even after nephrectomy, renal cancer might recur, and regular follow-ups are essential.