Kidney cancer develops most often in people over 40, but no one knows the
exact causes of this disease. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops
kidney cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that kidney cancer is
not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from another person.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than
others to develop kidney cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a
person's chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for kidney cancer:
Smoking: Cigarette smoking
is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are twice as likely as
nonsmokers to develop kidney cancer. Cigar smoking also may increase the risk
of this disease.
Obesity: People
who are obese have an increased risk of kidney cancer.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure increases
the risk of kidney cancer.
Long-term dialysis: Dialysis is a treatment for
people whose kidneys do not work well. It removes wastes from the blood. Being
on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney cancer.
Von
Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: VHL is a rare disease that runs in some families.
It is caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal VHL gene increases the risk
of kidney cancer. It also can cause cysts or tumors in
the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Family members of those with
this syndrome can have a test to check for the abnormal VHL gene. For people
with the abnormal VHL gene, doctors may suggest ways to improve the detection
of kidney cancer and other diseases before symptoms develop.
Occupation: Some people have a higher risk of
getting kidney cancer because they come in contact with certain chemicals or
substances in their workplace. Coke oven workers in the iron and steel industry
are at risk. Workers exposed to asbestos or cadmium
also may be at risk.
Gender:
Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Each year
in the United States, about 20,000 men and 12,000 women learn they have kidney
cancer.
Most people who have these risk factors do not get kidney cancer. On the
other hand, most people who do get the disease have no known risk factors.
People who think they may be at risk should discuss this concern with their
doctor. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan
an appropriate schedule for checkups.
Kidney Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of DiseaseQuestion: The symptoms of kidney cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
Polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) causes are either primary (aquired or genetic mutations) or secondary (diseases, conditions, high altitude). Treatment of polycythemia depends on the cause.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Arsenic comes in two forms, inorganic and organic. Organic arsenic poisoning is usually not poisonous to humans; however, inorganic arsenic in large enough amounts can lead to shock and death. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration, dark urine, vertigo, delirium, shock, and death. Treatment for arsenic poisoning includes Hemodialysis and a variety of drugs.
Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of the lining of the lung (pleural plaques, scarring, or fluid accumulation), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
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