They are bean-shaped and are located on the sides of the spine below the septum.
The kidneys are powerful chemical plants with a variety of functions. They filter the blood and rid it of toxins and substances through the urine. They regulate the balance of fluids, salt and electrolytes, produce hormones that determine blood pressure, the production of red blood cells and the metabolism of calcium in bones.
Kidney cancer is the third most common malignancy of the urinary system and there has been a steady increase in its incidence worldwide over the last 2 decades.
• Today, the diagnosis in percentage more than 50% is done in a random imaging test (computed tomography, ultrasound)since the disease does not show early symptoms.
Risk factors
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure.
Symptoms
“The majority of kidney tumors remain asymptomatic until advanced disease develops. Signs and symptoms usually appear late and are not specific.
The classic triad of symptoms (low back pain, hematuria and palpable abdominal mass) now occurs in less than 10% of patients “, points out Mr. Ioannis Bouzalas, Urologist – Director of the Urology Clinic, Clinical Endometriology and Enduropathy Metropolitan General.
In some cases, kidney cancer is associated with conditions called paraneoplastic syndromes. These syndromes occur in about 30% of patients and the symptoms can be: weight loss, cachexia, fever and hypertension. Pathological findings can also be observed in laboratory tests such as anemia, erythrocytosis, hypercalcaemia and liver dysfunction.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the age and the general condition of the patient. The treatment options available today are:
Surgical treatment
“It is considered the treatment of choice for localized kidney cancer. The operation may involve the removal of the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy) or in some cases more conservative surgery with preservation of part of the kidney (partial nephrectomy) “, explains Mr. Bouzalas.
Alternative therapies – minimally invasive techniques
• Transdermal application of radio frequencies
• Cryotherapy
• Use of microwaves
• High frequency focused ultrasound
• Molecularly targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Writes:
Mr. Ioannis Bouzalas, Urologist – Director of STI Urology Clinic, Clinic of Endourology and Minimally Invasive Treatment of Urolithiasis, Metropolitan General
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