The body has two kidneys located behind the liver and stomach. It is responsible for eliminating liquid waste from the body through urine. The kidneys also help control blood pressure and stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The renal pelvis is located in the center of the kidney. It collects urine and feeds it into the ureters, which are two tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

When the cells in the kidney start to grow out of control, it causes kidney or renal pelvis cancer. Every year, 37,000 men and 21,000 women develop renal cancer, and around 4000 women and 9000 men die because of this disease.

Symptoms of renal cancer

• Lump or mass in the kidney or abdomen area
• Blood in the urine
• Pain in the lower back or sides that does not go away easily
• Feeling tired more often
• Recurring fever
• Not feeling hungry
• Losing weight without reason
• Blockage in the bowels
• Poor health in general

Types of renal cancer
There are different types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The cancer cells develop on the inner lining of the tubules, which are the tiny tubes in the kidney. The cells can grow in a tumor and cause obstruction.

• Clear cell RCC: Around 80% of all RCC cases are of this type.
• Papillary RCC: Around 10-15% of kidney cancer cases are of papillary RCC.
• Chromophobe RCC is a rare form of cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all kidney cancer cases.
• Collecting duct RCC is an aggressive and rare form of cancer affects less than 1% of all people with kidney cancers
• Unclassified RCC is also a rare type of cancer
• Traditional cell carcinoma affects the spot where the kidney and ureters join
• Renal sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the connective tissue of the kidney.

Risk factors of renal cancer
The risk of renal cancer may increase due to several factors:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Taking pain medications for a long time
• Having high blood pressure
• Having specific genetic conditions
• Exposure to chemicals like trichloroethylene which used to remove grease from metal.

Tips to lower the risk of renal cancer
One can lower the risk of renal cancer by:

• Quitting smoking
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising caution while using certain chemicals

Treatment options for renal cancer
The first line of treatment for renal cancer is surgery. Other treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

• Immunotherapy uses medicines which help the body recognize cancer cells and attack them.
• Surgery can be used for stage I and II renal cancer along with other forms of treatment.
• Interventional radiology is used to visualize the tumors in the kidney and help perform interventional procedures.
• Targeted therapy is for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
• After the treatment, a patient may need nutrition therapy where a registered dietician gives them a diet that they need to follow. Doctors may also suggest additional treatments to manage and reduce pain and to improve the quality of life through integrative care.
• Oncology rehabilitation is designed to help build strength and endurance.