Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- PART I General concepts in oncology
- Part II Primary tumors
- 17 Lung cancer
- 18 Breast cancer
- 19 Colorectal cancer
- 20 Prostate cancer
- 21 Pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer
- 22 Anal cancer
- 23 Esophageal and gastric cancer
- 24 Head and neck cancer
- 25 Kidney cancer
- 26 Bladder cancer
- 27 Ovarian cancer
- 28 Gynecologic malignancies: endometrial and cervical carcinoma
- 29 Testicular cancer
- 30 Unknown primary site cancer
- 31 Mesothelioma
- 32 Adult soft tissue sarcoma
- 33 Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma
- 34 Melanoma
- 35 Primary brain tumors
- 36 Thyroid and adrenal cancer
- 37 HIV-related cancer
- 38 Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- 39 Leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative disorder
- 40 Multiple myeloma
- Part III Management of specific symptoms and syndromes
- Index
- References
25 - Kidney cancer
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- PART I General concepts in oncology
- Part II Primary tumors
- 17 Lung cancer
- 18 Breast cancer
- 19 Colorectal cancer
- 20 Prostate cancer
- 21 Pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer
- 22 Anal cancer
- 23 Esophageal and gastric cancer
- 24 Head and neck cancer
- 25 Kidney cancer
- 26 Bladder cancer
- 27 Ovarian cancer
- 28 Gynecologic malignancies: endometrial and cervical carcinoma
- 29 Testicular cancer
- 30 Unknown primary site cancer
- 31 Mesothelioma
- 32 Adult soft tissue sarcoma
- 33 Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma
- 34 Melanoma
- 35 Primary brain tumors
- 36 Thyroid and adrenal cancer
- 37 HIV-related cancer
- 38 Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- 39 Leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative disorder
- 40 Multiple myeloma
- Part III Management of specific symptoms and syndromes
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduction
Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is the tenth most common malignancy and the thirteenth leading cause of cancer death in the US. In 2001, there were predicted to be 30 800 new cases and 12 100 deaths due to kidney cancer, with an annual incidence that continues to increase. RCC is 2–3 times more common in men and tends to occur between the ages of 50–70 but can occur at any age. Smoking, obesity, diuretic use, and chronic renal dialysis have all been identified as risk factors. A small number of cases have a genetic basis with the most recognized association being the von Hippel–Lindau syndrome, an autosomal dominant disease which often causes multifocal, bilateral tumors. This chapter will review the presentation, prognosis, management, and outcome of patients with RCC.
Presentation
The presentation of RCC is variable; it may present as an incidental finding, with local or systemic symptoms, or with symptoms from metastatic disease. With radiographic investigations for other indications more frequent, an increasing number of asymptomatic kidney tumors are identified. Local symptoms may include hematuria, flank pain, or back pain. Systemic symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, or anorexia. RCC, even if only localized disease is present, may also produce paraneoplastic syndromes such as erythrocytosis, hypercalcemia, elevated liver function tests, and fever. Symptoms specific to metastatic disease such as bone pain, cough, shortness of breath, or neurological symptoms may occur.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Handbook of Advanced Cancer Care , pp. 217 - 222Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003