Kidney cancer starts in just one cell.  A change occurs in the genes of this cell which screws up the controls that prevent haphazard division and it starts dividing like crazy, forming a tumor. A tumor simply means a swelling and is not necessarily cancerous.  When the cells in the tumor just grow in their local area, and do not spread elsewhere, then the tumor is benign. However, when the tumor's cells have the ability to spread elsewhere in the body, this is a malignant (cancerous) tumor. A malignant tumor can metastasize (spread) to any area of the body, cause symptoms there, and eventually kill the patient. 

Causes & Risk Factors 

• Environmental risk factors – which includes smoking, asbestos workers and cadmium exposure.
• Genetic and hereditary risk factors:
  • Inherited and acquired gene mutations.
  • A family history of kidney carcinoma.
  • Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL)
  • Tuberous sclerosis
• Diet and weight
• Long term kidney failure

Treatments 

• Surgery – frequently used in treating kidney cancer, it may help prevent future complications such as blockage or bleeding.



• Intensify Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - is an advanced form of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). It uses sophisticated software and hardware to vary the shape and intensity of radiation delivered to different parts of the treatment area. It is one of the most precise forms of external beam radiation therapy available.



• Fractionated Dose Chemotherapy – another option treatment for kidney cancer, it approaches exposes cancer cells to the drugs for a longer period of time, while also seeking to reduce the unpleasant side effects often experienced with larger doses.



• Biotherapy/ Immunotherapy - use the body’s immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.