Health Tips – Kidney Cancer

What should people know about cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis?

The kidneys are two reddish-brown organs, shaped like beans, located above the waist on each side of the spine. The renal pelvis is the inner, curved part of the kidney where urine collects. The kidneys filter blood and produce urine to remove wastes from the body. Urine collects in the renal pelvis and then moves down the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored. The kidneys also assist in controlling blood pressure and in regulating red blood cell production.

Who gets cancer of kidney and renal pelvis?

Cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis is more common among older people and occurs more often among men than women. The risk of getting kidney cancer increases with age, most often occurring in people over the age of 50. However, about 40 children are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year in New York State, most of them with Wilm’s Tumor, which is the kidney cancer most common in children.

What causes cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis?

At this time, we do not know exactly what causes cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis. It is known that some types of kidney cancer are more common among people with certain genetic disorders (Von Hippel-Lindau disease and some others) and in people with a family history of kidney cancer. Cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis is also more common in urban, industrialized areas.

The risk of kidney cancer among smokers is about 40% higher than among nonsmokers. In addition, the longer a person smokes, the higher their risk of developing this disease. If a person quits smoking, their risk decreases over time. Being very overweight and having an inactive lifestyle are also associated with kidney cancer.

Studies also suggest that coke oven workers in steel plants and workers exposed to asbestos or cadmium may have an increased risk for getting cancer of the kidney or renal pelvis. Other studies indicate that radiation therapy for disorders of the uterus, exposure to thorotrast (a radioactive substance used in the 1920s) and heavy and long-term use of the drug phenacetin (a pain killer no longer used in the United States) may be associated with cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis. People who are on dialysis for chronic kidney failure may also have an increased risk for getting this disease. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is also associated with an increased risk for getting cancer of the kidney and renal pelvis.

What can I do to reduce my chances of getting cancer of the kidney?

If you currently smoke, you can reduce your risk of kidney cancer by stopping smoking. If you don’t smoke now, don’t start. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting adequate exercise may also reduce the risk of kidney cancer. If you work in a high risk job, be aware of health and safety rules and follow them.