What Are the Preventions of Kidney Cancer?

If you have certain risk factors for the development of kidney cancer, you should be aware of the disease's early detection. Detecting cancer at an early stage can result in improved outcomes, better responses, and fewer side effects. However, not everyone with risk factors will develop kidney cancer. Listed below are some risk factors. Consult with your doctor to learn more about testing and screening options for early signs of kidney cancer.

Obesity

There are conflicting reports about the association between obesity and kidney cancer. Previous meta-analyses and systematic reviews have indicated that there is a link between obesity and the development of kidney cancer. The authors of the present study sought to clarify the relationship between obesity and the development of kidney cancer. To this end, they searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant studies. They also conducted subgroup analyses according to participant characteristics to assess the impact of BMI on risk of developing kidney cancer.

In recent decades, the incidence of obesity has risen significantly. In the United States, 27.4% of adults were considered obese in 2011, and this number is expected to rise to 31.9% by 2020. This is a growing problem worldwide, and is particularly concerning for children and adolescents. In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents aged two to 19 years was 16.9% in 2011-2012, and 19.3% in 2017-2018.

Smoking

Researchers have found that smoking may be an important factor in kidney cancer prevention. According to Dr. Thomas Polascik, a genitourinary fellow at Duke University, cigarette smoke travels through the lungs and bloodstream to the kidneys. Although these tumors are difficult to detect at the early stages, they can develop into large masses before the symptoms become apparent. The smoking history of patients with renal cell cancer is also associated with a shorter survival than that of those who have never smoked.

Kidney cancer begins when cells in the kidney develop alterations in their DNA. DNA is the instructions for cells in the body. Changes in DNA cause cells to divide uncontrollably and produce tumors. Tumors may grow so large that they invade other organs and tissues. In some cases, the cancerous tumors can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs and other vital organs. In addition, kidney cancer is common among people aged 65 and older, and is twice as common in black and Native American populations. While it is rare in children, it still occurs, with approximately 500 to 600 cases of Wilms tumor per year in the United States.

Acquired cystic kidney disease

Some of the most common forms of acquired cystic kidney disease are not a cause for concern. While simple renal cysts are not associated with kidney cancer, complex or calcium-containing cysts pose a higher risk. Multiple renal cysts are formed in the tubules that collect urine and can result in back pain, blood in the urine, and high calcium levels. These conditions usually do not cause symptoms and are diagnosed prior to they become severe.

People with inherited kidney disease are more likely to develop this form of renal cysts than those without it. Some people are genetically predisposed to developing renal cell cancer, which can be life-threatening. If your family has a history of the disease, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations. However, there are many preventative measures that can be taken. While there are no proven ways to prevent the onset of kidney cancer, early diagnosis can reduce the risks of the disease.

Radiofrequency ablation

IRE is a surgical procedure in which an image guided probe transmits a high-frequency electrical current. The current is used to disrupt the tissue by vibrating ions in surrounding tissues. These ions cause tissue damage and necrosis, which are subsequently reabsorbed by the body. The target tissue should be 50oC or lower, although the latest generators can reach temperatures of more than 100oC. IRE also provides a more accurate ablation because the ablated area is delimited by normal tissue.

While there is some controversy about the safety of this procedure, the benefits of radiofrequency ablation are well worth the risks. Patients should be informed about possible risks before undergoing the procedure. Women should inform the x-ray technologist or CT technologist if they are pregnant. Women should inform their doctors if they are currently pregnant, and read the information on the Safety of X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Procedures page.

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug therapy is a type of treatment that targets the growth of cancer cells by blocking a specific protein in the body called mTOR. Most clear cell kidney cancers are caused by mutations in the VHL gene. These tumors make too much VEGF, a protein that controls the growth and division of new blood vessels. Certain drugs block mTOR and starve the tumors of nutrients.

Typically, patients with advanced kidney cancer receive targeted therapy. This treatment is designed to kill cancer cells and minimize the side effects that accompany it. These drugs usually target a specific protein known as mTOR and interfere with the activity of other proteins in cancer cells. In advanced cases, targeted therapy may be used as adjuvant therapy after surgery. This type of therapy may involve other treatments of kidney cancer. Here are some of the common drug treatments for kidney cancer: