World Kidney Cancer Day: Be Aware Of Your Kidney Health

A kidney is one of the most vital organs of our body but people often ignore its critical role for a healthy life. A progressive loss in kidney function over months or years results in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it can lead to kidney cancer. With prevention measures, the risks can be reduced and early screening and timely diagnosis can help in reducing the disease burden.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, cancers cases in India is expected to increase by 12 per cent by 2025. Currently, there are nearly 14 lakh cancer cases and as per the report it is projected to increase to 1569793 by 2025. Kidney cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in India. India is witnessing a surge in kidney cancer cases. From 17,069 in 2018, it is projected to increase to over 20,000 by 2025, as per the Report.

The report indicate a growing concern for the rising burden of kidney cancer in India. With the increasing numbers of kidney cancer cases, the burden from this malignancy is on the rise. Kidney cancer can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity and geographic location.

Causes

Cancer is caused due to abnormal growth of cells in kidney cells. With this growth, cells grow uncontrollably. Finally, these cells become malignant and tumors are developed in one or both kidneys. It’s caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the kidney tissue that causes these cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Some kidney cancers develop in the lining of tubules or tiny tubes, whereas some of them also develop in the area where urine gets stored before moving to the bladder.

Types of kidney cancer

Kidney cancers are mainly categorized based on location, extent and the affected cells. It is also evident that some cancers are only detected at advanced stages, as they evade early detection. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma which starts in the renal tubules or tubes in the kidney responsible for making urine. It occurs within the cells of renal tubules or small tube lining of the kidney and accounts for nearly 85 per cent of all kidney cancer cases. Chromophobe, papillary renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma and Wilms’ tumour (a rare type only occurs in children) are other types of Kidney cancers.

Risk factors

Diabetes, Obesity, hypertension and hereditary are the most common risk factors. Smoking, addiction to cigarettes, cigars and pipes can significantly increase the risk of developing kidney tumours and other types of cancer. Chronic kidney disease and long-term dialysis are also associated with kidney cancer in some cases. Heavy medication such as painkillers is also associated with a high risk for kidney cancer.

Prevention

It is widely admitted that there is an urgent need to create awareness on primary prevention and that requires immediate focus on modification of lifestyle to reduce the risks factors. Unhealthy diets, consumption of alcohol, structural abnormalities of the kidney also contribute to the damage of the kidney.

It is recommended that for a healthy kidney people should maintain ideal body weight, reduce blood pressure and the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. Keeping fit with exercise and active life should be supplemented with a healthy diet. Salt intake must be minimum. Kidney cancer risk is increased significantly with smoking as it slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. Smoking should be avoided for a healthy kidney. People should check and control their blood sugar on regular basis and the same goes with blood pressure.

Treatment and care

Kidney cancer treatment depends on the stages of the disease and also on the patient age and health condition to carry surgeries. With the advancement of medical science, several procedures supplement conventional surgeries and treatments. In the conventional traditional approach when a patient has kidney cancer that entire kidney is removed, but through partial nephrectomy surgery, surgeons remove the only cancerous part of the kidney and the rest of the kidney is preserved without any cancer risk and any side effect. The robotic-driven procedure has also eliminated the risk of kidney failure at a later stage which normally happens if a kidney is removed through conventional surgery. Advanced procedures have come as a boon to patients who suffer from serious kidney problems such as Cancer and Stone or both. Since the procedure Nephrectomy was performed with precision with robotics applications, not only it reduced his hospital stay but saved blood loss and facilitated quick recovery.

With early detection of kidney cancer, the correct approach, and advanced procedures, the patients can be saved. Given the rising burden of kidney cancer, there is an urgent need to make people aware not only of the risk factors and preventive measures but also about the advanced treatment now available.

Dr Tushar Patil

Guest Author The author is Consultant - Medical Oncologist, Jupiter Hospital, Pune