Kidney Cancer Paper

In 2015, about 61, 560 new cases of kidney cancer will occur with approximately 62% occurring in men. About 22% of those diagnosed with kidney cancer will die from the disease. Kidney cancer is one of the top ten cancers found in men and women (“American Cancer Society,” 2015). Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer and it can affect anyone. This paper will discuss the etiology, signs and symptoms, treatments and prognosis for those that are diagnosed with RCC I chose to research this cancer because a friend of mine died from metastatic mucinous tubular spindle renal cell carcinoma at the age of 24. He was the 13th person in the United States to be diagnosed. When Cody passed away, I realized that cancer could truly
536). None, of the resources had a concrete answer for what causes RCC, but there are risk factors that can increase a person’s chance of developing RCC. According to the American Cancer Society (2015), “it is not yet clear how some of these risk factors cause kidney cells to become cancerous.” Many of the sources agreed that “a genetic basis is strongly suggested and several genes have been implicated, no single etiologic agent has been identified” (Goodman, 2003, p. 708). Smoking and obesity are established risk factors for many illnesses and that is no exception with RCC. My friend developed the disease because of a genetic mutation on his SDHB1 gene. Kidney cancer can be seen as a silent killer because during the early stages there are few signs that can cause a patient concern. The Mayo Clinic (2015) gives the following as possible symptoms of kidney cancer: “hematuria, back pain just below the ribs that will not go away, a palpable abdominal mass, weight loss, fatigue, and intermittent fever.” Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for other illness or just the aches and pains of getting older. Another source suggests that the classic triad of hematuria, back pain, and a palpable abdominal mass occur in approximately 10% of RCC cases (Goodman, 2003, p.
The earlier RCC is detected the better the prognosis. There are three stages of RCC: the first stage is when the tumor is encapsulated on the adrenal gland. The second stage is when the tumor begins to invade peritoneal fat. The third and final stage is when the tumor goes into the renal vein or regional lymphatic vessels. During Stage I the tumor can be removed with very little negative side effects, as it progresses through the stages it becomes harder to get the entire tumor, which decreases the prognosis. Metastatic RCC is highly resistant to treatment. Early detection and advances in surgical techniques will help to improve the prognosis for patients with metastatic RCC (Goodman, 2003, p. 709). Physical therapy can play an important role in recovering from renal cancer