90% of kidney tumors are malignant. Beware of the “terrible” kidney cancer

Although "kidney cancer" does not seem to be as "famous" as "liver cancer" and "lung cancer", it is a highly malignant disease that urgently needs people's attention. Renal cell carcinoma (abbreviated as renal cancer) is a tumor that occurs in the renal cortex and medulla, and is one of the most common tumors in the urinary system. The incidence of renal cancer in my country ranks second among urinary system tumors, second only to prostate cancer. 90% of kidney tumors are malignant - highly malignant; 20-30% of renal cancers are found to have metastasized when diagnosed, and 20-40% of renal cancer patients have metastases after surgery - renal cancer often metastasizes; the five-year survival rate of metastatic renal cancer is 10% - the prognosis of metastatic renal cancer is very poor.

Because kidney tumors are highly malignant, highly metastatic and have a poor prognosis, it is even more important for us to prevent, detect early, provide regular treatment and rehabilitation.

1Prevent kidney cancer: stay away from risk factors

How can we prevent kidney cancer? It is recommended that you start from the following aspects:

First of all, we should promote a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking in time. Obese people should lose weight scientifically, pay attention to a balanced diet, and reduce high-fat intake.

Second, some occupational and environmental factors related to kidney cancer, such as cadmium, chlorinated organic solvents, petrochemical products, paints and mixtures containing solvents, asbestos, etc., should be avoided as much as possible. Those who need to be exposed to them should take protective measures and pay attention to regular physical examinations.

Third, long-term dialysis, hypertension, long-term use of analgesics, and estrogen abuse are also risk factors for kidney cancer. Attention should be paid to timely treatment, scientific use of medication, and regular check-ups.

2Discovering Kidney Cancer: The "Kidney Mass" That Cannot Be Ignored

Hematuria, pain and mass are the three typical symptoms of kidney cancer. Intermittent painless macroscopic hematuria is a common first symptom. About 1/3 of kidney cancer patients have systemic symptoms, such as fever, hypertension, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, rapid erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, abnormal liver function, etc. If the ipsilateral varicocele does not disappear when lying flat, it often indicates that there is a cancer thrombus in the renal vein.

Unfortunately, the above three typical symptoms are all late stage manifestations, which is the main reason why kidney cancer is often found in the late stage clinically. This also reminds people of the importance of regular physical examinations every year. Because through imaging examinations, early tumors that are clinically asymptomatic can often be found during routine physical examinations.

3 What should I do if a physical examination reveals abnormalities?

First of all, if a physical examination report indicates a "kidney mass", you must not take it lightly and throw the report away. Because 90% of kidney masses are malignant tumors and only 10% are benign, you should seek medical attention in time and use CT scans to clarify the nature of the kidney tumor, including cystic or solid, tumor density, size, development, whether the renal vein, vena cava or lymph nodes are involved, etc. If it is indeed a malignant tumor, ultrasound angiography can be used to display the anatomical details of the tumor, find out whether adjacent tissues are invaded, and understand whether the renal vein, vena cava, adrenal glands or lymph nodes are involved. It is also useful for staging renal cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can display a three-dimensional image of the tumor, which helps surgeons develop surgical plans.