Try adjusting your type
14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Kidney cancer is a type of malignancy that originates in the kidneys, specifically in the small tubes within them. Variations include renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma. It is often discovered in the early stages when there are few, if any, symptoms. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Treatment may involve surgery, radiotherapy, or targeted therapies.
Kidney cancer, a form of malignancy that begins in the kidneys, occupies a significant space in cancer research and discussion due to its complexity and impact on people’s lives. Aware of its subtlety, understanding kidney cancer becomes crucial. This article aims to shed light on the function of kidneys, kidney cancer, its types and risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods, and the lifestyle changes it brings.
The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health. These bean-shaped organs filter the blood, eliminating waste products and excess fluids through urine. These vital organs also stabilize electrolytes, manage blood pressure, produce hormones influencing the production of red blood cells, and maintain the body’s acid-base balance.
In general, kidney cancer is a disease in which kidney cells become malignant and grow out of control, forming a tumor. In medical terminology, kidney cancer is referred to as Renal Cell Carcinoma, a term which also indicates the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It forms when cancerous cells develop in the lining of the kidney’s tubules.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 73,750 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in the United States alone in 2021. This indicates the significance of gaining a complete understanding of this disease.
Apart from Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), other forms of kidney cancer include Transitional Cell Carcinoma that affect the renal pelvis and ureters, Wilms Tumor that primarily affects children, and Renal Sarcoma, a very rare type of kidney cancer.
Risk factors do not guarantee the development of a disease, but they increase the chances of contracting it. For kidney cancer, these risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. It could also be due to inherited syndromes, prolonged exposure to certain chemicals, or a family history of kidney cancer.
The symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in urine, persistent back pain, loss of weight, and fatigue. It’s diagnosed through a physical exam, urine tests, and imaging tests such as an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan. A kidney biopsy, where a sample of kidney tissue is removed and tested for cancer cells, plays a crucial role in the diagnosis process.
In treating kidney cancer, the first choice is often surgery to remove the tumor. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Innovative approaches for kidney cancer are also emerging, including preventative therapies and enhanced diagnostic tools.
Life after a kidney cancer can be challenging. However, with the right support system and an optimistic approach, it is manageable. The impact on lifestyle varies based on cancer stage and treatment, affecting emotional, physical, and social aspects of life.
Resources like the Kidney Cancer Association and the American Cancer Society offer support systems for patients and families affected by kidney cancer.
Staying informed about kidney cancer aids in its early detection and treatment. By understanding this disease, we can open doors to effective treatments, possibly saving lives along the way.
The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but several risk factors like smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure increase its chances.
Kidney cancer is often diagnosed through a physical exam, urine tests, and imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans. A kidney biopsy may also be essential.
Early signs include blood in urine, persistent back pain, loss of weight, and fatigue.
Surgery is often the first treatment choice for kidney cancer, but it depends on each individual’s condition.
Long-term effects vary based on the treatment used and can include pain, fatigue, fertility problems, and changes in urinary and sexual function.
Share it
You might also like
Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself
New York Times bestseller and beloved guide, revised and updated with up-to-the minute scientific and spiritual insight, teaches readers how to listen to their bodies and assess all areas of their lives--relational, psychological, creative, environmental, professional--to understand what they need for health.
Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing
Anita Moorjani's memoir, "Dying to Be Me," is a deeply inspiring account of her extraordinary journey through illness, near-death, and profound self-discovery.
When Breath Becomes Air By Paul Kalanithi
This inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?
Surviving Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Hope, Treatment, and Recovery
After her diagnosis of hormone-negative breast cancer, health journalist Patricia Prijatel did what any reporter would do: start investigating the disease, how it occurs, how it's treated, and how to keep it from recurring.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
This book is a poignant reminder that in our shared humanity, we encounter moments of vulnerability, confusion, and pain. Cheryl Strayed's words serve as a beacon of hope, guiding readers towards self-discovery, healing, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
The Truth about Cancer: What You Need to Know about Cancer’s History, Treatment, and Prevention
New in paperback: the controversial bestseller from one of health care's most passionate and outspoken advocates that reveals what we need to know about cancer to protect ourselves, treat ourselves, and even save our lives.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world.
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didnt have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, wasnt about dying.
