What are some facts about kidney cancer?
In the United States, 2 percent of all cancers arise from the kidney. Each year, kidney cancer is diagnosed in approximately 38,000 Americans and is the cause of death in nearly 12,000 Americans. Kidney cancer is slightly more common in males and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70 years. The most common kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma. What risk factors are associated with kidney cancer? The following associations may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. • smoking • family history of kidney cancer • polycystic kidney disease • chronic kidney failure and/or dialysis • diet with high caloric intake or fried/sautéed meat • low vitamin E intake • diuretic use or hypertension, although this is still somewhat controversial • von Hippel Lindau disease • tuberous sclerosis • exposure to asbestos, blast furnaces and ovens used in iron/steel manufacturing What are the symptoms for kidney cancer? Many kidney tumors do not produce symptoms, but may be detecte
