kidney cancer

Kidney Cancer Symptoms

There are many variations of kidney cancer. The most commonly diagnosed type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. It accounts for more than 85% of kidney cancer diagnosis'.The most commonly experienced kidney cancer symptoms (renal cell carcinoma) are:
Chronic fatigue
Unexplained, rapid weightloss
Leg and ankle swelling
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Fever
Presence of blood in urine (seen either by the eye, or microscopically)
Pain in side or lower back
Mass or lump in the abdomenKeep in mind that these symptoms are also the signs for many other illnesses. Please see a health care professional if you are experiencing anything abnormal for further diagnosis.

Cancer Treatment

By Lisa Fayed, About.com Guide to Cancer
Cancer treatment can involve one or several different treatments. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are standard methods of treatment in many types of cancer. Before you begin any treatment regimen, you should become aware of what to expect, side effects, and the risks and benefits of treatment. The more educated you are about your cancer treatment, the better you can communicate with your healthcare team and be proactive in your treatment decisions.


Surgery
Surgery is often recommended for many types of cancer. Primarily, surgery is done to treat cancer, but can also serve as a prevention and diagnostic tool. Preparing for surgery can help you to become a more confident patient and also contribute to a timely recovery.

Chemotherapy and Other Medications
Chemotherapy is another widely used type of cancer treatment. It is often combined with another therapy, like surgery or radiation therapy, to ensure treatment success. While chemotherapy and other treatment medications can be common, they aren't for everyone

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is also an option for treating cancer. This type of treatment uses certain types of high energy beams to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells. It is not effective in all types of cancer and isn't meant for everyone.

Managing Treatment Side Effects
Treatment for cancer can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Many times it is a combination of two or three types, which can compromise your quality of life, both physically and mentally.

Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies conducted with volunteers, who participate for a variety of reasons, mainly when their body has stopped responding to treatment or when no treatment is available. Before beginning a clinical trial, you should consider a few issues.