| The kidneys are the two bean shaped organs | | | | - Loss of appetite |
| located behind the abdominal muscles on each side of | | | | Diagnosis and Screening: |
| the spine. Kidney cancer, occurs in these very | | | | To begin the diagnosis, a physician will often start by |
| organs, and is caused by abnormal cell growth. The | | | | examining the patients medical history and than |
| most frequent form of this cancer occurs as whats | | | | proceed with a physical exam. Blood and urine |
| called renal cell carcinoma (cancer cells that begin in | | | | samples may also be taken. The doctor may also |
| the tubes of the kidney). Children, however, are | | | | check for lumps or unusual protrusions in the kidney |
| more likely to develop a cancer known as Wilm's | | | | area. Lastly, a number of tests may be performed to |
| tumor (a form of cancer often caused by genetic | | | | check for cancerous cells: |
| conditions or birth defects). According to the | | | | - Abdomen Sonography - This procedure utilizes |
| American Cancer Society, over 50,000 people are | | | | sound waves, which are bounced off of the kidney |
| diagnosed every year with some form of kidney | | | | to create an image known as a sonogram. |
| cancer. | | | | - CT Scan - A CT scan requires the use of an x-ray |
| Signs and Symptoms: | | | | machine and a computer that takes a series of |
| Unlike many other cancers, kidney cancer does not | | | | pictures inside the body from various angles. This |
| always have obvious or troublesome symptoms in | | | | method is also known more formally as computerized |
| the early stages. However, here are some of the | | | | tomography. |
| more common signs and symptoms to look for | | | | - Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI) - In this |
| especially towards the later stages of the cancer: | | | | procedure a magnet linked with a computer creates |
| - Weight loss | | | | detailed images of areas within the body. |
| - Feelings of energy deprivation or fatigue | | | | After testing, the doctor should be able to diagnose |
| - Persistent back pain below the ribs | | | | and determine the stage of the cancer. However, |
| - Intermittent or recurrent fevers | | | | additional testing may need to be conducted to |
| - Lumps in the kidney area | | | | determine the severity and growth of the tumor. |