What is Kidney Cancer?

There are basically three types of kidney cancer:fact, most cancers found are benign.
1. Renal Cell Carcinoma: Renal cell carcinoma isMost often, renal cell carcinoma and renal pelvis
cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubescarcinoma develop in people over the age of 40.
in the kidney that filter the blood and removeThere is no way to determine who is more likely
waste products.to develop the disease but there are some
2. Renal Pelvis Carcinoma: Renal pelvis carcinoma isfactors that raise the risk.
cancer that forms in the center of the kidneySmoking: Smoking both cigarettes and/or cigars
where urine collects.raises the risk of developing all kinds of cancer,
3. Wilms Tumor: Wilms tumor usually develops inincluding kidney cancer.
children under the age of five.Obesity: Obesity seems to be a major risk factor
This year, it is estimated that there will be 54,390in developing this type if cancer.
new cases diagnosed. It is also estimated thatGender: Men are more likely to get the disease
there will be 13,010 deaths caused by the disease.than women. About 20,000 men and 12,000
People are born with two kidneys. One is locatedwomen learn they have kidney cancer each year
on each side of the spine in the lower abdomen.in the United States.
The good news is that people can live full livesOccupation: Iron and steel workers and workers
with a normal life expectancy with only one. It iswho are exposed to asbestos and cadmium are
important to note here that all tumors found inmore likely to develop kidney cancer.
the kidneys are not cancerous. As a matter of