RenalCancerInfo

RenalCancerInfo

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First I would like to take time to welcome you to my site. My name is Shelley and I am dedicated to expanding public knowledge about renal cancer. Renal cancer is also known as kidney cancer or adenocarcinoma (National Cancer Institute, 2007). My father, William Guthrie, died in 2006 of Renal Cancer and I knew absolutely nothing of the disease. One of the most important things I learned about this disease is that one of its risk factors is smoking (National Cancer Institute, 2007). When we think about cancer and cigarettes, we often only think of lung cancer. The truth is that smoking raises the risk of getting all types of cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2007).

While caring for my ill father, I took the time to research the disease. Because of the high mortality rate, lack of treatment and the many risk factors associated with this disease, I feel that it is important to share with all of you. If you only get one thing out of this site, I hope it is this: Smoking increases your risk for all types of cancer, including renal cancer and there is no test for early detection of this disease. So if you or your loved ones have any of the risks factors or symptoms of the disease, schedule an exam with your physician.

General Info

Renal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the lining of the tubules in the kidneys (National Cancer Institute, 2007). Those tubules are found in both kidneys and filter and clean the blood taking out waste and making urine (National Cancer Institute, 2007). This is why renal cancer may lead to difficulty, frequency or pain during urination.

This photo was obtained from http://www.ohsu.edu/health/health-topics/topic.cfm?id=13561




Stages of Renal Cancer Most cancers have different stages in which the disease progresses through the body. If the disease is caught in its earlier stages, the treatment options are greater and have more chances for success. Renal cancer is no different. Renal cancer has four different stages of illness: Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV (National Cancer Institute, 2007). Stage I Renal Cancer is confined to the area of the kidney. It usually only consists of a tumor that is 7 centimeters in diameter or less (OHSU, 2006). In some cases, the fatty tissue surrounding the kidney known as Gerota's Fascia is affected as well (OHSU, 2006). This stage of renal cancer has the greatest number of treatment options and a high treatment success rate (National Cancer Institute, 2007). Stage II Renal Cancer is also confined to the area of the kidney. It also can affect Gerota's Fascia of the kidney. The difference between this Stage II and Stage I is the size of the tumor. In Stage II, the tumor is greater than 7 centimeters in diameter (OHSU, 2006). Just as in Stage I, if renal cancer is caught in this stage is easier to treat. Stage III Renal Cancer is beginning to spread outside of the area of the kidney (OHSU, 2006). The tumor in this stage may be any size but it now is extended beyond Gerota's Fascia (OHSU, 2006). Renal cancer in this stage typically spread to the adrenal gland, surrounding lymph nodes and the renal vein (OHSU, 2006). Cases of cancer that have progressed to this stage require more in depth treatment. Stage IV Renal Cancer is the metastatic stage of this disease. By the time the cancer has reached this stage it has likely spread to other organs as well as the adrenal glands, surrounding lymph nodes and the renal veins (OHSU, 2006). This stage requires the most aggressive treatment and has the lowest survival rate. My father's cancer was found in this stage and the cancer had progressed from both kidneys, to his liver and lungs.

This site is dedicated to my father, William Guthrie, who died of Renal Cancer November 18, 2006.