Renal - Kidney Cancer Lawyers

Kidney Cancer Statistics:

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, affecting about 3 out of 10,000 people. There are about 31,000 new cases in the U.S. per year, with about 12,000 deaths per year in the U.S. from the disorder. It is more common in men than women, usually men over 55 years old.

Renal Cancer Symptoms:

Blood in the urine
Abnormal urine color (urine dark, rusty or brown colored)
Flank pain
Back pain
Abdominal pain
Weight loss, more than 5% of body weight
Emaciated, thin, malnourished appearance
Enlargement of one testicle
Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Vision abnormalities
Paleness
Hair, excessive on females
Constipation
Cold intolerance

Kidney Cancer Signs and tests

Palpation of the abdomen may show a mass or organ enlargement, particularly of the kidney or liver. There may be a testicular varicocele.

A CBC may show increased red blood cells (RBC) caused by stimulation of RBC production by the tumor. More commonly, though, it shows a decrease in RBC count.
The RBC in urine is increased.
Serum calcium levels may increase because of hormonal changes resulting from the tumor.
The SGPT and alkaline phosphatase may be elevated.
A urine cytology examination may show carcinoma cells.
Liver function tests may show involvement of the liver from metastasis, or may be abnormal without metastasis.
An ultrasound of the abdomen and kidney may show the tumor.
Kidney X-ray may indicate a tumor or calcification.
IVP may indicate obstruction by the tumor.
Renal arteriography may show the tumor if it is highly vascular.
Because metastasis is common, the following tests to look for metastasis may be performed:
An abdominal CT scan shows the kidney tumor and may show a liver mass.
Sometimes an abdominal MRI has to be done to determine if the tumor involves any surrounding blood vessels and to determine whether it can be surgically removed.
A chest X-ray may show mass in the chest.
A bone scan may show involvement of the bones.

CANCER PROGNOSIS:

The outcome varies depending on the amount of metastasis. The 5-year survival rate is around 60 to 75% (if the tumor is in the early stages). If it has spread to the lymph nodes, 5-year survival is around 5 to 15%. If it has spread to other organs, the probable outcome is poor (with 5-year survival at less than 5%).

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