Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Renal cancers originating from the kidney's own cells make up 2-3 percent of all body cancers. Renal cancers, a life-threatening type of urological cancer, are seen in one in 2 women compared to one in 3 men. Although it is mostly seen in the 60-70 age group, it can also be seen in young people. According to studies, there is a 2-3 percent risk of hereditary transmission.
What are the Risk Factors?
Smoking is the most important risk factor for kidney cancer. It is known that 20-30 percent of those contracting the disease are exposed to tobacco products. Furthermore, being overweight and high blood pressure are two other important factors. Since kidneys are located in the posterior abdominal region, many kidney tumors can grow without symptoms. 50 percent of kidney cancers are observed and diagnosed during an examination for other purposes. The disease manifests with blood in the urine, pain and spreading to other organs after the tumor grows. In addition, weight loss, fever, nausea and weakness can also be the symptoms.Early Diagnosis is Very Important
Surgical intervention after early diagnosis of kidney cancers is very important because it provides a full recovery from the disease. Sometimes bleeding in a simple urine test, ultrasonography, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for diagnosis.Types of Kidney Cancer
Each kidney has over one million units that can produce urine. Each of these units is called a “nephron". Each nephron is associated with a microscopic renal tubule. Each tubule is also associated with tubules from other nephrons. Tubules carry the urine through collecting channels to the area called the pelvis, the middle part of the kidney. If kidney cancer develops from these tubules, these tumors are called “cortical tumors." If it develops in the part where the urine collects, called the kidney pelvis, it is called "transitional epithelial cell cancer of the urinary tract" (urothelial cancer, transitional cell cancer).Not Every Mass is Cancer
Not all masses in the kidney are cancerous. There are also renal cysts that can be diagnosed mostly by imaging techniques and non-malignant tumors called “angiomyolipomas." The kidneys can also receive metastases from other organ cancers (such as breast, lung, skin, etc.). Lymphoma in the kidney is also a type of cancer. In these cases, the same route and similar treatment methods are used as those for the treatment of original cancers.Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer usually grows insidiously, without presenting a symptom. The symptoms of tumor growth can be listed as follows:- Bleeding in urine
- Lower back pain
- Spread to other organs
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever without common cold or flu
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Edema in the legs due to inadequate fluid removal from the body
- Weakness
Treatment
The goal for kidney tumors, for which the main treatment is surgery, is the complete or partial removal of the kidney. The current approach dictates removal of the tumorous part of the kidney, and preserving the intact renal tissue. Thanks to the robotics technology being adopted within the last 10 years, the advantages of minimally invasive surgery allow performing these operations with an ease similar to open surgery.Robotic surgery
Using robotic surgery, the robotic partial nephrectomy is performed using 8 to 10 millimeter small holes in the abdomen insted of a surgical incision. Hospitalization duration is much less than open surgery. Blood loss is also less. The removal of the tumor and the repair of the remaining kidney tissue is performed effectively and precisely using a very good image.