Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a type of malignancy that begins in the kidneys, which are essential organs responsible for filtering blood to remove waste, balance fluids, and regulate electrolytes. The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, a part of the small tubes in the kidney that transport primary urine. Less common types include transitional cell carcinoma and Wilms tumor, which is predominantly found in children. Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and certain inherited syndromes.

From a medical standpoint, kidney cancer often presents subtly and is commonly asymptomatic in early stages, which can lead to later diagnosis when the disease is more advanced. Symptoms may include hematuria (blood in urine), flank pain, and a palpable mass in the abdomen. To diagnose kidney cancer, medical imaging such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI are employed, sometimes followed by a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options vary based on the stage of the cancer and can include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and in some cases, watchful waiting for slow-growing cancers. Prognosis is generally better when cancer is detected early and confined to the kidney.