The Importance of regular Kidney Cancer Screenings

The Importance of regular Kidney Cancer Screenings

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP

What is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer develops when the cells inside the kidneys become abnormal and start to grow out of control. There are multiple types of kidney cancer that can grow, each starting from a different type of cell in the kidney. Some cancers have screening tests available to help find cancer early before it starts causing any symptoms. Unfortunately, kidney cancer does not currently have a screening test available and is usually diagnosed when being evaluated for some symptoms it is causing.

Risk factors for kidney cancer

The following factors can increase someone’s risk of developing kidney cancer.

● Smoking cigarettes

● Being obese

● Family history of kidney cancer

● Male sex

● Advanced chronic kidney disease

● Genetic conditions of von Hippel-Lindau, Cowden syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis

Symptoms of kidney cancer

Some of the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

● Blood in the urine

● Pain in one side or on one side of the back

● High blood pressure

● Unintentional weight loss

● Severe fatigue

● Low red blood cells

● Swelling to the legs or feet

Imaging tests for kidney cancer

Imaging tests may be done to evaluate the cause of symptoms experienced. These imaging tests can include the following:

● X-ray

● CT scan

● MRI

● Ultrasound

If any suspicious areas in the kidney are found on these tests, a biopsy may be done. During a biopsy, tissue from the tumor is removed and tested for the presence of cancer cells. Sometimes, imaging is very suspicious for kidney cancer, and there is no evidence that it has spread anywhere else in the body. Surgery may be done for a biopsy to get a diagnosis with the tumor removed.

Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers. However, it is also one of the most treatable if caught early. This makes kidney cancer screening very important for those who are at risk.

While there are no guarantees, increasing awareness and regular check-ups can help catch kidney cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP
Julie is an oncology certified Oncology Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of medical oncology experience. In addition to her clinical work, she is an accomplished healthcare writer providing oncology content for various publications. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for a Master's nursing program and a chair for Doctoral nursing students.

Download our
mobile app

Share this post
You may also like
Articles
Breast cancer local treatment
November 8, 2022

The exact treatment prescribed for you will be based on the stage and characteristics of your breast cancer. It's important to talk to your oncology team if you have any specific questions about your particular treatment.  Treatment is often classified into local therapy or systemic therapy. Local therapy means that…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
The Little-known Cancer – Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP)
November 4, 2022

CUP, also known as Cancer of unknown primary, is Cancer that has metastasized from another body part. The site where it began, also called the primary site, is unknown in this case. Why CUP is a challenging cancer? Cancer of unknown primary is often challenging because it tends to be…

Vino Cherian

administrator

Articles
What is a bone marrow transplant?
December 22, 2022

Why a Bone marrow transplant may be recommended for certain cancer patients? Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is cancer affecting blood cells. When the myeloid cells become abnormal, these cells then grow uncontrollably. White blood cells are often affected, but red blood cells and platelets can also be affected. As these…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

cancerGO gives you access to a community

Where are people to listen, answer questions, share information, and offer valuable and timely advice