What are the kidneys?
The kidneys are organs that are in the
midsection of the body toward the back. Most people
have 2 kidneys. The kidneys are very important because
they filter the blood and make urine
What is kidney
cancer?
Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney grow out of control. A group of abnormal cells together can form a malignant (cancerous) tumor. The most common type of kidney cancer is called renal cell cancer.
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How common is kidney cancer?
Over 51,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney
cancer each year. To compare this with other cancers,
click
here.
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Who is at risk of getting kidney cancer?
Anyone can get kidney cancer, but it usually strikes
people over age 50, and risk goes up with age.
People with a family history of kidney cancer also have
a higher risk.
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How do you lower your risk of kidney cancer?
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid high blood pressure
Click
here
for a list of things that affect kidney cancer.
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What is the screening test?
There is no good screening test to find kidney cancer in its
early stages. If you're concerned about kidney cancer, talk to
a doctor about your risk.
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What are the symptoms of kidney
cancer?
In its earliest stages, kidney cancer may have no symptoms. But
as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
- Blood in the urine
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent fevers
- A pain in the side that won't go away
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells) or high blood pressure
These symptoms may also be caused by something less serious. Only a
doctor can know for sure. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to
a doctor.
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For more information on kidney cancer, visit these web sites:
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