Facts About Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer currently affects more than 36,000 people in the United States. Although kidney cancer was first reported in 1826, scientists have not yet determined its cause. Kidney cancer occurs in almost twice as many men as women, and most often develops after the age of 40. However, the disease has been seen in children as young as six months.
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors
People are at a higher risk of developing cancer if they have certain characteristics called risk factors. A risk factor is any trait or behavior that increases the chance of developing a disease. Some of the risk factors for kidney cancer include:
Family History: People with a family history of kidney cancer are nearly four times more likely to develop the disease.
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: VHL is a very rare illness that runs in some families. People with VHL are predisposed to develop renal cell carcinoma. They may also develop cancers of the brain, spinal cord, pancreas, adrenal gland, and eye. Through genetic testing, the VHL gene mutation can now be detected.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking may account for as much as one fourth of all cases and is a major risk factor for kidney cancer. Cigar smoking may also increase risk.
Obesity: Research shows that obesity may increase the chance of developing kidney cancer, particularly in women.
Hemodialysis: kidney cancer is more common among patients receiving long-term hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is performed on patients whose kidneys function inadequately. The dialysis machine acts as an artificial kidney and is used to clear the blood in the way that a healthy, functioning kidney normally would.
Occupation: Certain types of occupations appear to increase the risk for kidney cancer, especially if the job requires contact with certain chemicals or substances. For example, iron- and steelworkers who are exposed to coke ovens, and workers consistently exposed to asbestos or cadmium may have a higher risk for kidney cancer.
|
