Living With Kidney Cancer

Living With Kidney Cancer
By Donald Willeyand Evelyn Willey

Being diagnosed with kidney cancer, or even being told of the suspicion of it, can make you feel extremely fearful. It is estimated that over 64 thousand new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed this year and that there will be in excess of 14 thousand people losing their life to this disease during the same period.The survival rate of kidney cancer has been pretty low compared to other kinds of cancers. Over the past decade many advances have been made in understanding and development of new ways to combat kidney cancer. In the United States the survival rate has risen to 1-in-33.

The kidneys are important organs in the human body and they perform many functions to keep it healthy, including producing hormones, absorbing minerals, and filtering blood and urine. Kidneys are two bean shaped organs the size of clenched fists that reside in the rear of the body in the abdomen, and are part of the urinary tract. They make urine by a filtering process that removes waste and water from the blood and make substances to control blood pressure and red blood cells. Attached to the top of each kidney is an adrenal (suprarenal) gland that is critical in creating various hormones that are required for a healthy life. To survive, the human body must have at least one functioning kidney and adrenal gland.

The cells in the body are the building blocks that make up the tissues, that make up the kidneys and the other organs of the body. When the cells malfunction, cancer starts. Cells naturally grow, divide and die as a natural part of life, and as they die they are replaced by new cells. When this natural process gets out of control and old or damaged cells do not die, malignant cells are formed and eventually produce a mass or a tumor. These tumors may be benign (not usually a threat to life) or malignant (may be a threat to life). Early detection of a tumor by a trained medical professional is critical in determining its chances for successful treatment.

Cancer is the most feared disease in the world. It is the second leading cause for death in the United States and human beings have had cancer since the very beginning of recorded history. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. Descriptions of cancer have been recorded in Egyptian history as far back as 3000BC.

There are many types of cancer and they all start as the out of control growth of abnormal cells. There are millions of people alive today who have cancer or who have had cancer. Scientists know that cancer can be caused by chemicals, radiation and viruses, and can even run in families. By understanding DNA and genes, it was found that it was the damage to DNA that frequently led to the development of cancer. Discoveries have continued over the years providing new understandings and the development of techniques and medications that now can be directed to a specific type of cancer.

Rental Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is also known as kidney cancer. Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney divide without control or order.Renal cancers typically develop due to genetic changes called mutations. These mutations may be inherited, but most occur after birth. It is a devastating disease occurring mostly in men between the ages of 50 and 70 and affecting between 50,000 and 70,000 people a year in the United States alone.

Both kidneys can have the disease and it can spread to the lungs and other parts of the body. There can be many symptoms of this disease or it can be discovered during medical imaging of the body when checking for other problems. There are many types of RCC, but all start in the cells of the outer layer of the kidney and may be discovered as a single type or a group of many types.

The three main types of RCC are Clear Cell, Papillary Cell and Chromophobe Cell. Clear Cell is the most common and account for 75-85% of these tumors. Papillary Cell is the second most common and accounts for 10-15% of these tumors. Chromophobe Cell accounts for 3-5% of these tumors. RCC accounts for 2-3% of all cancers worldwide and is the 7th and 9th most common cancer in men and women. Kidney cancer may occasionally interfere with the body's ability to filter the blood, which may require dialysis treatments in some cases.

The overall prognosis for cancer has improved over the last few decades. In the 1970's approximately 1 of 2 people diagnosed with the disease survived at least five years. Now that has changed to 2 of 3. The prognosis for RCC depends on the extent of the disease, its stage (1 through 5) when it was diagnosed and if it has spread into other parts of the body. When it has spread outside the kidney into other parts of the body, its survival rates are low. RCC found in the early stages may be cured over time. The problem is when this cancer is not found until it has reached an advanced stage, and the chance of curing stage 5 RCC is very small.

Many people with cancer feel anxious and depressed, angry and resentful, helpless and defeated. Family and friends can be very supportive but may be hesitant to offer their support due to not knowing how to approach it. They can feel powerless because they do not know what to do to help the person with kidney failure, or if they receive a negative reaction when trying to help. Talking to others can provide a big help, not only in understanding the disease but in talking to others that have or have had the disease. People need to talk about their fears and feelings.

Evelyn and Don are co-owners of Ladies Hair Care By ED where they have selected all natural organic/herbal hair, health and skin care products that are sure to satisfy their customers needs. Visit them at http://www.ladieshaircarebyed.com and see what they have selected for you.

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