Renal Cell Cancer: A General Outlook

Renal Cell Cancer is the outcome of malignancy occured in the cells of the tubules in the kidneys of the human body. Also commonly known as Kidney Cancer or Renal Adenocarcinoma, this condition occurs due to cancerous multiplication of cells in small thin tubules found in the kidney.

Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs found in the lower abdomen in humans. The basic function of the kidney is purification of blood and helping the body in excreting waste and/or toxic products outside the body. The purification process leads to the formation of a yellowish fluid called urine having a slightly basic nature. The yellow color of the urine is due to the pigment Urinoid present in them. This urine passes through the Ureters, arising from the kidneys till the urethral orifice from where it is expelled out of the body.

There are certain factors which need to be taken in control to avoid Renal Cancer, the main ones involving.

• Excessive Smoking
• Long usage of over-the-counter medicines (without proper consultation)
• Hereditary causes like Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary renal carcinoma.

However the above symptoms may not be visible in the starting phase, yet as the conditions approach critical phase, medical supervision should be considered in case of following symptoms:

1. Haematuria (Blood in the Urine)
2. Abdominal lump
3. Persisent pain in the side for a long time
4. Sudden unexpected weight loss
5. Anaemia

Various simple and advanced tests are available for the diagnosis of Renal Cell Cancer. Main ones among them are stated below:

• Histological Tests: These tests involve physical examination of the patient, also taking into count his general food habits and addictions (if any). These tests also determine the presence of unusual changes in the body like formation of lumps, etc.
• Haematological Studies: These involve a series of blood biochemistry studies wherein a blood sample from the patient is taken and different biochemical tests are carried out; the results of which depend upon the values obtained and its deviation from the normal optimum range. The deviation of the values might be indicative of the diseased state of the body.
• Urinanalysis: This involves testing he physical and chemical factors of the urine like its color, pH (nature of acidity or basicity) and presence of sugar, proteins, lipids, blood cells, bile salt, etc.
• Liver Function Tests: This test is one of the main indications of spread of cancerous cells in the liver. The procedure involves taking a blood sample and measuring the amount of enzymes released in the blood by the liver. Based on the blood content and amount of enzymes present, presence of cancerous cells in the liver can be estimated but not guaranteed as some non-cancerous conditions also involve release of enzymes in the liver.
• Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): This technological technique is an X-ray technique but quite different from the normal one, which involves injecting a contrast dyes in the vein. As the dye progresses through the kidneys, urethra and the bladder, is effect can be observed by carrying out X-rays to see the effects, nature and presence of blockages in those regions.
• Ultrasound Scan: This involves developing a Sonogram. Sonogram is a medical document obtained by exposing the internal body tissues with high-energy sound waves and the echoes that are obtained when the sound waves bounce back from the tissues is recorded.
• CT scan: A computed tomography scan, also known as a Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan involves taking pictures of internal body areas from different angles with the help of a setup that involves coupling of a computer with an X-Ray machine. This also involves injecting/swallowing suitable dye, like IVP, to the patient which facilitates the organs o show up properly during the scan and pictures can be properly taken.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): In this another widely used scanning technique, magnetic and radio waves are exposed on the body and the computer setup makes a series of detailed pictures of the required areas of the body.
• Biopsy: Biopsy involves physical examination of the cells or tissues after removing the samples for the same from the body of the patient. For this particular disease i.e. Renal Cell Cancer, a thin needle is inserted and tissue sample is extracted from the possible effected area.

Although treatment maybe available in the starting phase of the disease, the age/health of the patient also plays an important factor that might be of great help in increasing the Prognosis (chances of recovery) and curing the disease.