NEPHROCARCINOMA

NEPHROCARCINOMA

Nephrocarcinoma is defined as a type of cancerous tumor in the kidneys. The common term of nephrocarcinoma is ‘renal cell carcinoma,’ which specifies literally where the cancer is located. Remember that not every kidney tumor is cancerous. A noncancerous tumor can also develop in our kidneys, and it is called a benign (non-cancerous) tumor.

Renal cell cancer is a disease in which the cells are cancerous and can be located in the lining of tubules (very tiny tubes) in our kidney. We have two kidneys, and they can be found on both sides of our backbone and above our waist. The tiny tubules in our bodies clean blood. They eliminate waste products and turn these into the urine. The urine transfer from each kidney occurs through a long tube. The urine will stay and be held by the bladder until it transfers through the urethra as our body releases it.

TYPES

The main types of kidney cancer are the following:

  • Renal cell cancer
  • Transitional cell cancer
  • Wilms tumor

SYMPTOMS

These are some signs and symptoms that might be caused by renal cell cancer or by other causes. In the early stage, there will no signs and symptoms, but these can be observed as the tumor progresses. Consult a doctor if you suffer from any of the following:

    • Blood in the urine
    • A lump in the abdomen
    • A pain in the side that doesn’t go away
    • Loss of appetite
    • Weight loss for no known reason
    • Anemia

DIAGNOSIS

Physical exam and history

An assessment of the body to identify regular signs of health, this also includes reviewing some signs of disease, such as swelling or anything that is not normal in your body. The background of the patient’s healthy lifestyle and past illness and medications will also be included.

Laboratory tests

  • Ultrasound
  • Blood chemistry studies
  • Urinalysis
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • Biopsy

TREATMENT

There are different types of treatment for patients with renal cell cancer.

Five types of standard treatment are used:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Surgery
  • Target therapy

VEGF inhibitors

Cancer cells produce a substance called VEGF which causes new blood vessels to form (angiogenesis) and help increase monoclonal antibodies.

VEGF inhibitors pause and block new blood vessels from developing. They may eliminate cancer cells because these cells need new blood vessels for them to expand. Sunitinib, pazopanib, cabozantinib, axitinib, and sorafenib are examples of VEGF inhibitors.

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