I am up and cannot sleep so I am going to share with you what I have found about kidney cancer. Most of it is what I have learned already with my family from my doctor but for those of you that have questions, this is a way that you can get your answers without me getting exhausted of saying the same thing over and over again. I know that you all care, it just gets to be a bit much!
Thanks for all your support! Here is the info:
Introduction:
The American Cancer Society estimates that almost 51,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. The incidence of kidney cancer seems to be increasing, though it isn't clear why. Many kidney cancers are detected during procedures for other diseases or conditions. Imaging techniques, such as computerized tomography (CT), are being used more often, which may help find more kidney cancers.
Signs and symptoms
Kidney cancer rarely causes signs or symptoms in its early stages. In the later stages, kidney cancer signs and symptoms may include:
- Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola-colored (had this one)
- Back pain just below the ribs that doesn't go away (had this one)
- Weight loss (did not have this one, just vomited every other day)
-Fatigue (absolutely had this one- by far the most frustrating, outside of nausea)
-Intermittent fever (not sure about this one- a few sweating fits at night each week)
Causes:
Just what causes kidney cells to become cancerous isn't clear.
Risk factors
Renal cell carcinoma risk factors The majority of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas. Risk factors for renal cell carcinoma include:
(here is where I get really frustrated!!!!!!)
- Age. Your risk of renal cell carcinoma increases as you age. Renal cell carcinoma occurs most commonly in people 60 and older. (nope)
-Sex. Men are more likely to develop renal cell carcinoma than women are. (nope)
-Smoking. Smokers have a greater risk of renal cell carcinoma than nonsmokers do. The risk increases the longer you smoke and decreases after you quit. (nope)
-Obesity. People who are obese have a higher risk of renal cell carcinoma than do people who are considered average weight. (slightly)
-High blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure increases your risk of renal cell carcinoma, but it isn't clear why. Some research in animals has linked high blood pressure medications to an increased risk of kidney cancer, but studies in people have had conflicting results. (nope)
-Chemicals in your workplace. Workers who are exposed to certain chemicals on the job may have a higher risk of renal cell carcinoma. People who work with chemicals such as asbestos, cadmium and trichloroethylene may have an increased risk of kidney cancer. (possibly- we talk about this a lot at work because so many people have gotten sick in the last 10 years)
-Treatment for kidney failure. People who receive long-term dialysis to treat chronic kidney failure have a greater risk of developing kidney cancer. People who have a kidney transplant and receive immunosuppressant drugs also are more likely to develop kidney cancer. (nope)
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease. People with this inherited disorder are likely to develop several kinds of tumors, including, in some cases, renal cell carcinoma. (nope)
-Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma. Having this inherited condition makes it more likely you'll develop one or more renal cell carcinomas. (nope)
Transitional cell carcinoma risk factors Risk factors for transitional cell carcinoma include:
- Smoking. Smoking increases your risk of transitional cell carcinomas. (once again, nope)
-Chemicals in your workplace. Working with certain chemicals may increase your risk of transitional cell carcinoma. (once again, possibly)
-A withdrawn medication. Phenacetin, which was removed from the market in the United States in the early 1980s, has been linked to kidney cancer. Phenacetin was used in prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers. (nope)
Screening and diagnosis
A kidney cancer diagnosis typically begins with a complete medical history and a physical exam. Your doctor may also recommend blood and urine tests. If your doctor suspects a problem or if you're at high risk of kidney cancer, you may also have one or more of the following tests to check your kidneys for growths or tumors:
-Ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of your internal organs, such as your kidneys and bladder, on a computer screen. (had this one)
-Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. CT scans use computers to create more-detailed images than those produced by conventional X-rays. MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to generate cross-sectional pictures of your body. (had this done twice)
-Tissue sample (biopsy). In selected cases, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a small sample of cells (biopsy) from a suspicious area of your kidney. During a biopsy, a surgeon uses ultrasound or CT images to guide a long, thin needle into your kidney to remove the cells. The cells are then examined under a microscope to determine whether they are cancer.
Biopsy procedures have risks, such as infection, bleeding and a very small chance that cancer could spread to the area where the needle is inserted. Because surgery is usually the first line treatment for kidney cancer, your doctor may forgo biopsy if he or she believes your tumor is very likely to be cancerous. That way you avoid the additional risks of a biopsy. Kidney biopsy is typically reserved for cases that are most likely to be noncancerous or for people who can't undergo an operation.
(We decided against biopsy- either way, the tumor must be removed and my kidney cannot be saved.)
Additional tests for transitional cell cancer Tests and procedures used to diagnose transitional cell kidney cancer may include:
-X-ray imaging of your urinary system (excretory urogram). X-rays of your urinary system may show signs of cancer. Your health care team will inject a dye into a vein in your arm. The dye is processed by your kidneys and your urinary system, and the dye makes it possible to see your urinary system on an X-ray. (had this done too)
- Looking inside your bladder (cystoscopy). Your doctor may use a long, narrow tube called a cystoscope to see the inside of your bladder. The cystoscope, which carries a light source and a special lens, is inserted through your urethra into your bladder. A cystoscope can also be used to extract a small tissue sample (biopsy) from any suspicious areas. (I had this done on the right side during my surgery on April 7th but i will not go through this again for the right side, there is just no need, thank God!)
Kidney cancer staging
Once your doctor diagnoses kidney cancer, the next step is to determine the extent, or stage, of the cancer. Staging tests for kidney cancer may include additional CT scans, a chest X-ray or other imaging scans your doctor feels are appropriate.
Then your doctor assigns a number, called a stage, to your cancer. Kidney cancer stages include:
- I. Tumor is small and confined to the kidney
- II. Tumor is larger than a stage I tumor, and is confined to the kidney
- III. Tumor extends beyond the kidney to the surrounding tissue or the adrenal glands, and may also spread to a nearby lymph node (This is where I am)
- IV. Cancer spreads outside the kidney or to distant parts of the body
Treatment
Together, you and your treatment team will discuss all of your kidney cancer treatment options. The best approach for you may depend on a number of factors, including your general health, the kind of kidney cancer you have, whether the cancer has spread and your own preferences for treatment.
Surgery
Surgery is the initial treatment for the majority of kidney cancers. Surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer include:
-Removing the affected kidney (nephrectomy). Radical nephrectomy involves the removal of the kidney as well as the adrenal gland that sits atop the kidney, a border of healthy tissue and adjacent lymph nodes. Nephrectomy can be done through an incision, meaning the surgeon makes a large cut in your skin to access your kidney. Or nephrectomy can be done laparoscopically, using small incisions to insert a video camera and tiny surgical tools. The surgeon watches a video monitor in order to perform the nephrectomy. (This is what I am having- Radical laparoscopic nephrectomy)
§ Removing the tumor from the kidney (nephron-sparing surgery). During this procedure, the surgeon removes the tumor, rather than the entire kidney. Nephron-sparing surgery may be an option if you have only one kidney or if you have an early-stage kidney cancer.
What type of surgery your doctor recommends will be based on your cancer and its stage, as well as your health and personal preferences. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection.
Coping
Each person copes with a cancer diagnosis in his or her own way. Once the shock and fear that comes with an initial diagnosis begins to subside, you'll find ways to help you cope with the daily challenges of cancer treatment and recovery. Coping strategies that can help include:
-Find out all you can about kidney cancer.
Ask your doctor for details of your diagnosis, such as what type of cancer you have and the stage of your cancer. This information can help you learn about the treatment options that are available to you. Good sources of information include the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Both organizations maintain Web sites and hot lines you can turn to for more information. Contact the National Cancer Institute at 800-4CANCER, or 800-422-6237, or the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, or 800-227-2345.
-Take care of yourself. Take steps to take care of your body during cancer treatment. Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, get exercise when you feel up to it, and get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested each day. (Oops- its 2am and I am wide awake!!!!)
- Gather a support network. Your friends and family are worried about your health, so let them help you when they offer. Let friends and family take care of the little, everyday tasks so that you can focus on your recovery. Running errands, preparing meals and providing transportation are all ways friends and family can help. Talking about your feelings with close friends and family also can help you relieve stress and tension.
- Take time for yourself. Set aside time for yourself each day. Time spent reading, relaxing or listening to music can help you relieve stress. Write your feelings down in a journal. (all right already!)
All information from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-cancer
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