The progress in medical science has proven to be instrumental in bringing down the mortality rate. The latest detection methods and modern treatment methods have ensured that some diseases are completely wiped out from the face of the Earth, whereas, certain diseases continue to claim lives, cancer being one of them. Cancer in any form is life-threatening and only if it is diagnosed in earlier stages does one has the chance of surviving through it.
Cancer can affect any part of the body; whether it is breast cancer, prostate cancer, throat cancer, kidney cancer, etc. all of these are extremely fatal. People are familiar with these above-mentioned types of cancer, but kidney cancer remains an unchartered territory for a few. Cancer of the kidneys is not a new phenomenon and follows a pattern similar to the other types of cancer.
One of the most common types of kidney cancer is Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). It has been observed that almost 9 out 10 kidney cancer cases are of Renal Cell Carcinoma.
What causes Renal Cell Carcinoma?
- Renal Cell Carcinoma, also known as hypernephroma, usually manifests itself in the form of a single tumor, or at times two tumors. These tumors can be in the same kidney, or each kidney would have one tumor.
- The causes of Renal Cell Carcinoma can be traced back to family history. If the individual has a family history of people battling this form of cancer, there are chances that the person too might have to face similar situations.
- One of the causes of Renal Cell Carcinoma is the dialysis treatment people undergo in case their kidneys aren’t functioning appropriately.
- Obesity, smoking, and hypertension are known to trigger this condition.
Renal Cell Carcinoma signs and symptoms
Before the disease can manifest itself in a full-fledged manner, various signs and symptoms surface, which are indicative of the underlying grave situation. An individual suffering from Renal Cell Carcinoma also projects the following signs and symptoms.
- Lower back pain: One of the prominent Renal Cell Carcinoma signs and symptoms is the presence of severe lower back pain. If the tumor in the kidney keeps growing and reaches a significant size, it can cause severe pain in the lower back and to the side, below the rib cage.
- Hematuria: Hematuria is one a condition characterized by the presence of blood in one’s urine. If the kidneys aren’t functioning appropriately, the presence of blood in the urine is indicative of the fact that there’s something seriously wrong with the kidneys, and it shouldn’t be ignored.
- Lump: Cancer tumors can be felt on the body’s surface in the form of lumps. The presence of lumps in the abdomen, on the back, or under the rib cage can be considered to be a warning sign or symptom of Renal Cell Carcinoma.
- Weight loss: If the individual suddenly starts losing weight without being on a diet, it is a cause of worry. The sudden weight loss can be attributed to the war cancer cells wage on the healthy cells for nutrients.
- Anemia: Anemia is a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Renal Cell Carcinoma can cause anemia, which, in turn, makes the individual tired and sluggish most of the time.
Renal Cell Carcinoma signs and symptoms give you a fair warning of an impending disaster. Deciphering the symptoms at the right time can save lives since cancer in its initial stages can be cured.
