1 The kidney: The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs fixed to the back wall of the abdominal cavity. One kidney is to the left and the other is to the right of the backbone. Both are protected by the lower ribcage. The kidneys' function is to filter the blood and eliminate the body of excess fluid, salt and waste products. Filtered blood (urine) leaves the kidney through a long tubular structure called a ureter. The ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is stored in the bladder until urination. All of the important functions of kidney can be handled with one kidney and that's why many people are living normal healthy lives with just one kidney. Kidney cancers may start within the kidney (primary) or have spread from another organ/source. Primary kidney cancers may include renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma (renal pelvic tumor), sarcomas and collecting duct tumors.
2. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC): RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer. RCC begins small and grows larger over time, like many other cancers. Based on limited observations, renal cancers appear to grow approximately 1 cm (1/2 inch) in diameter per year. RCC usually grows as a single mass. Sometimes, a kidney may contain more than one tumor or tumors may be found in both kidneys at the same time. Patients with bilateral tumors, early onset of disease, or multiple tumors may suggest a genetic predisposition to form RCC as occurs in patients with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. In the past, RCCs were diagnosed only after they have become quite large or symptoms of flank pain, blood in the urine, or palpable mass in the abdomen developed. But fortunately, most RCC are now found incidentally (during evaluation of unrelated medical problems) by imaging studies such as ultrasound, CAT scan, or MRI. The recently observed rising incidence of RCC may not be solely due to increased use of imaging studies but a trend toward increased detection of small lesions that are surgically curable has been noted. RCC is difficult to treat and rarely cured once it has spread beyond the kidney and current therapies have limited efficacy. Researchers are beginning to understand ways that cause these kidney cells become cancerous. Much research is now focused on how mutations of genes on chromosome 3, 7, 17 result in kidney tumors. Other researchers are studying how different genetic changes seen in RCC affect how the cancer looks under the microscope and how likely it is to grow and spread aggressively. Doctors hope to use this information to treat RCC more effectively in new ways that cause fewer side effects.
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