Kidney Cancer

What is kidney cancer?

Your kidneys are part of your renal system and play a vital role in filtering waste from your blood. You have two kidneys, each around the size of a fist. They are shaped like a bean and sit on either side of your spine just below your rib cage.

Kidney cancer occurs when otherwise healthy cells in your kidney begin to multiply uncontrollably. Around 90% of all cases of kidney cancer are a form called renal cell carcinoma. This type usually begins in the lining of the tiny tubes in your kidneys that work to make urine and clean your blood.

Renal cell cancer usually remains within the affected kidney, but it can travel to other areas of your body like your brain, lungs, or bones. Researchers have found a link between kidney disease, and kidney cancer and having one of these conditions can cause you to develop the other.

What are some symptoms of kidney disease?

In the early stages, kidney disease rarely causes symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no routine tests that screen for signs of kidney disease unless symptoms are present. When kidney cancer reaches a later stage, you might notice symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Blood in your urine
• Unexplained weight loss
• Intermittent fever
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in your side or back 

Because these symptoms are common among many other medical conditions, it’s important to listen to the messages your body sends and schedule a diagnostic exam as soon as you notice unusual changes.

How is kidney cancer diagnosed?

The team at Spokane Urology offers outstanding diagnostic services for kidney cancer and many other forms of cancer. The process begins with a discussion of your overall health, health history, and any signs of disease you’ve experienced.

Blood and urine testing are a routine part of diagnosing kidney disease. Imaging tests may also play a role in your diagnostic process and help your specialist visualize the tissues and structures within your kidneys.

If signs of tissue abnormalities are detected, a biopsy may be needed to check for unusual cell growth. If the microscopic evaluation shows evidence of cancer, the next step is a process called staging, which determines how far cancer has advanced.

Spokane Urology also offers top quality kidney cancer treatment. The da VinciⓇ robotic surgical system enables incredibly precise surgical procedures, including kidney tumor removal. This approach yields outstanding results with a lower risk of complications and a faster recovery time.

To learn more about kidney cancer diagnostics and treatment, schedule an appointment at Spokane Urology today. Online scheduling is available, or you can call the office to speak with a member directly.