Do you have a tumor in your kidney? (Kidney Tumor) Don't be afraid, let's be aware of this!

Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have a small tumor in your kidney? Or have you ever been told that you have a problem with your kidney because of something different in your body, or during a `scan` test for something else? It is normal to feel a little scared and worried when you hear something like this. But don't worry. Today we will talk about these kidney tumors, or as doctors call them `(Kidney Tumors)` or `(Renal Tumors)`, in a simple way.

What exactly is a kidney tumor?

Simply put, a kidney tumor is a group of abnormal cells, or what we call a lump of cells, that form on or inside your kidney. These can sometimes be non-cancerous (benign) , or they can be cancerous (malignant) , meaning they can be cancerous.

How serious is this? Is it something to be concerned about?

The severity of this really depends on the type of tumor. Remember, some kidney tumors are not cancerous. They are usually smaller than cancerous tumors (less than 4 centimeters, or about 1.6 inches, about the size of a walnut). These noncancerous tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. However, larger kidney tumors (those larger than 4 centimeters) are more likely to be cancerous. They often grow quickly and can spread to other parts of the body.

The most important thing is that whether your kidney tumor is cancerous or not, it's best to seek medical attention as soon as possible . The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat.

How likely are kidney tumors to become cancerous?

Statistically, about 75% of kidney tumors are cancerous . However, small tumors usually do not behave as aggressively.

How fast do these nuts grow?

Studies have shown that kidney tumors can grow at an average rate of about 0.3 centimeters per year . That means they grow slowly.

Who is more likely to develop these?

Anyone can develop a kidney tumor. However, some people are at a higher risk. For example:

• For those over 65 years of age.
• For men .
• For those with certain genetic predispositions (this is often associated with a family history of the disease).

How common are kidney stones?

Cancerous kidney tumors are a common type of cancer in some countries. It is important to be aware of this condition in Sri Lanka as well. That is why it is good to be aware of this.

What are the symptoms of a kidney tumor?

Many people initially have no pain or other symptoms.It is not visible. Usually, a doctor finds this kidney tumor by accident while testing for another condition. However, sometimes symptoms can appear. These include:

• You may see blood in your urine (doctors call this ``hematuria''). Your urine may be red, pink, or brown.
• Feeling pain in the area between your ribs and hip (the groin area) , especially when touched.
• Pain in the lower back .
• Loss of appetite .
• Becoming thin for no reason.
• Fever .
• Anemia is a condition of blood deficiency .

What are the causes of a kidney tumor?

Doctors and researchers still don't know the exact cause of kidney stones. However, some factors have been found to increase the risk of kidney stones. These include:

• Using tobacco products ( cigarettes , beedis, etc.).
• Consuming more than the normal amount of alcoholic beverages per week.
• Obesity means that the body weight is much higher than the recommended amount.
• If someone in the family has high blood pressure .
• If someone in the family has had kidney tumors or cancer .
• For those who frequently come into contact with chemicals containing chlorine .

If it is cancer, how does it spread to other parts of the body?

Benign kidney tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. They stay where they are. However, malignant kidney tumors can spread to the fatty tissue around the kidney, the blood vessels, or the adrenal gland above the kidney. They can then travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body and form new tumors. Doctors call this process metastasis .

How do you find out if you have a kidney tumor or not?

Because kidney tumors often don't cause symptoms, doctors often find them when they're being tested for other conditions. If you have symptoms, your doctor will first do a thorough exam. They will also ask you if you or anyone in your family has had kidney tumors or cancer before. In addition, some tests may be done to help determine if you have kidney cancer. These include:

• Various `scans` tests: These are painless and non-invasive tests that can give you a good look at your kidneys. For example, `CT. Scan (CT - computed tomography scan), `MRI. Scan (MRI - magnetic resonance imaging) scan` and `ultrasound scan` can be done.
• Urinalysis: A urine sample is taken from you and sent to a laboratory to check for small amounts of blood that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
• Blood tests: A small amount of your blood is taken with a needle and examined in a laboratory. The different types of cells in the blood are counted, the levels of various electrolytes in the body are checked, and the level of creatinine (a byproduct of muscle activity) is checked to see if your kidneys are working properly.
• Renal mass biopsy: A doctor uses a thin needle to remove a small sample of the kidney mass . It is then examined under a microscope in a laboratory to see if there are any cancer cells. However, this biopsy is not always 100% accurate, so doctors may not recommend it.

Well, then what are the treatments for this?

Treatment for a kidney tumor depends on the size of the tumor, whether it is cancerous, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. There are several treatment options:

1. Active surveillance

For very small kidney tumors that have not spread to other parts of the body, your doctor may recommend what is called active surveillance . This means that you don't treat the tumor, but you keep a close eye on it with regular scans. Treatment is only started if the test results change. This may be done every three months, every six months, or once a year.

2. Surgery

Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part or all of your kidney. There are several types of surgery:

• Partial nephrectomy: The surgeon removes only the part of the kidney that contains the tumor, leaving the healthy part intact. This is usually done for small tumors that have not spread.
• Removing the entire kidney (Radical nephrectomy):The surgeon will remove your entire kidney and some of the tissue around it. They may also remove the lymph nodes around the kidney. This is usually done for large tumors near major blood vessels.

3. Ablation therapy

For small kidney tumors, your doctor may recommend ablation therapy , which uses extreme heat or extreme cold to destroy the tumor cells.

• Cryoablation: A doctor inserts a needle through the skin into the tumor and then uses extremely cold air to freeze and destroy the tumor cells.
• Radiofrequency ablation: In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the tumor and an electric current is passed through it to heat and destroy the tumor cells.

4. Radiation therapy

If you only have one kidney, or if surgery is not possible, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy . This uses radiation to destroy kidney tumor cells.

5. Targeted drug therapy

This treatment can be used when surgery is not possible. Or it can be used to prevent the cancer from coming back after surgery. These drugs help stop the growth and spread of kidney tumor cells.

6. Immunotherapy

This involves giving your body's own immune system drugs that help it recognize and destroy kidney tumor cells.

Is there anything we can do to prevent a kidney tumor from forming?

Many kidney tumors develop for no apparent reason. However, following these tips can help reduce your risk of developing a kidney tumor:

• Stop smoking and using tobacco products.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy body weight that suits you.

What happens if I have a kidney tumor? What should I expect?

Your recovery and treatment plan will depend on the size of your kidney tumor, whether it is cancerous, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. This will also depend on your age and general health.

Can kidney stones be completely cured?

Kidney tumors can be cured if diagnosed early and treated properly.

A benign kidney tumor is not usually life-threatening. Even a malignant kidney tumor is, if it is found before it has spread beyond the outer covering of the kidney, there is a much greater chance of treatment and cure.

When should I see a doctor?

You have symptoms of a kidney tumor, such as blood in your urine, pain in your groin or lower back, or unexplained weight loss.If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor can run tests to see if a kidney tumor is causing these symptoms.

What are the important questions to ask the doctor?

When you find out you have a kidney tumor, don't forget to ask your doctor these questions:

• Where is my kidney tumor?
• Is this cancer or not?
• How big is my kidney tumor?
• Has this spread to other parts of my body?
• Does the doctor think this will spread further?
• What treatment options do you recommend?
• Can this tumor come back after treatment?
• What should I do if the treatment is not successful?
• Can you recommend a good Urologist or Oncologist?
• How are my kidneys functioning after treatment?

Finally, remember this...

It's normal to feel scared and anxious when you find out you have a kidney tumor, especially if it's cancerous. Since kidney tumors usually don't cause symptoms, you may not even know you have one. However, the most important thing is to catch the disease early. This makes treatment more successful. Your doctor can explain all of your treatment options, as well as tell you where to get help. He or she can also answer any questions you may have and help you stay positive as you think about treatment. So don't worry about anything and talk to your doctor.

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