As per the recent medical data the prevalent types of kidney cancer include, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Wilms Tumour and Transitional Cell Carcinoma. There are many other named types of benign kidney tumours too, but they are less life threatening as they are non-cancerous. In India, the projected incidence of kidney cancer is about 2/100,000 population (males) and among females, it is nearly 1/100,000 population.

The primary function of the kidney is to extract waste and water from the blood and pass it out of the body via the bladder and uterus as urine. Kidneys are also important endocrine organs for water and salt metabolism, maintaining pH level of the blood and also help in metabolism of vitamin D. Kidney cancer is caused when the healthy cells mutate excessively causing a cluster of cells that turn into a tumor on the kidney.

Prof Dr Raj Nagarkar, MD & Chief of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Services, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik says, “What makes Kidney cancer dangerous is that, in most cases the body usually shows late symptoms, and by then cancer has spread to other organs. Unlike other cancers, such as prostate, cervix or breast, there is no recommended screening test for kidney cancer. So, it often goes easily unnoticed, hence it becomes important to raise awareness about kidney cancer – its symptoms, preventive care and most important the treatment options. Keeping this in mind, this year the global theme for World Kidney Cancer awareness Day 2022 is – We need to talk about treatment options.”

The causes of Kidney cancer are not definite but the common triggers include, Obesity, Smoking, Hypertension, Family history, exposure to Radiation, Gene mutations, Long-term dialysis treatment, Tuberous Sclerosis,Von Hippel-Lindau disease, etc to name a few. The treatment options will depend on the size of tumor, stage of cancer, gender, age and other medical history of the patient. The various treatment options are Surgery, Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, Radiation therapy, to name a few.

Speaking on treatment and detection, Dr. Raj further added, “Urine and blood tests, which are routinely performed as part of a health check-up, may aid in the detection of kidney cancer. There are additional expensive tests such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or Ultrasound, which is less expensive and can detect early kidney cancers. So it is imperative that each individual monitors health and body signs, undertake periodic health checkups and consultation with specialists, especially if you are in the age group prone to such malignant illness.”

Kidney cancer detected in early stages is completely curable and there are newer advances in treatment of advanced cancers which has made control of the cancer better and for a longer period of time.