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Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spinal column in the upper abdomen. Kidneys are responsible for performing a multitude of functions, including removal of waste and toxins from the bloodstream, controlling blood pressure and maintaining the electrolyte concentration.

Like any other organ in the body, the kidneys are susceptible to the development of malignant cells or cancer. There are several types of kidney cancer that have been detected while performing diagnostic procedures for various health conditions.

Kidney cancer is mainly caused by the development of tumor cells in the nephron and other kidney tissues. The general symptoms are blood in urine, back pain, weight loss and general fatigue. Kidney cancer can be treated by surgical removal of the affected portion or kidney, if it is diagnosed at the right time.

Researchers are of the opinion that frequent exposure to chemical toxins, smoking and side effects of certain medications are the triggering factors for the development of kidney cancer. People who smoke have 2-4 times higher risk of getting kidney cancer than the non-smokers. Also some other risk factors of kidney cancer include age, sex, occupation, kidney problems, prolonged dialysis, obesity, hypertension and certain genetic disorders. The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known yet.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and transitional cell carcinoma are mostly observed among adults, whereas, in children the most common form of kidney cancer is Wilms' tumor. Kidney cancer does not cause any noticeable symptoms in the early stages.

SYMPTOMS
In the later stages, kidney cancer signs and symptoms could include:

1. Blood in your urine, which may appear pink, red or cola-coloured
2. Back pain just below the ribs that doesn't go away
3. Weight loss
4. Fatigue, and
5. Intermittent fever

DIAGNOSIS
Early diagnosis of kidney cancer is rare as there are no significant symptoms. If the physician suspects for any type of kidney cancer, he may perform certain diagnostic tests like urine analysis, blood tests, biopsy, chest X-ray, ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and bone scan.

On the basis of the results, the physician assigns stages to kidney cancer;

Stage I is when the tumor is small and present in the kidney,
Stage II is a large tumor in kidney,
Stage III is characterized by spreading of cancer to nearby tissues other than kidney and
Stage IV is when tumor spreads to distant organs of the body.

One of the more approachable and experienced physicians at the London Hospitals is Mr. Mark Feneley who has a general urological practice as well as a specialist practice in urological cancer. His consultations cover a wide variety of urological symptoms and conditions, and ensure a balanced discussion of benefits and possible risks when interventions are being considered.