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Mercy is a leader in diagnosing and treating cancers of the urinary system, including kidney cancers. We want to provide you with the best care possible, and our multispecialty team is here to help you in every aspect of your journey.
Kidney cancer is a type of genitourinary cancer that is also known as renal cancer. Your kidneys are a pair of small but powerful organs that filter waste products from your blood and convert them into urine. When cancer develops in your urinary tract, it can cause the kidney to stop working properly. Most kidney cancers begin as a single tumor inside the kidney. As cancer grows, it may spread beyond the kidney to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.
RCC, also known as renal cell cancer or renal cell adenocarcinoma, makes up about 90% of kidney cancers. It usually beings as a single tumor in one kidney, but in some cases, there may be multiple tumors in one or both kidneys. Subtypes of RCC include:
Also known as urothelial cancer or renal pelvis carcinoma, TCC is a rare form of kidney cancer that affects the transitional cells in the urinary system. Because transitional cells are found throughout the urinary system, TCC is a common form of bladder cancer. When TCC affects the kidney, it often targets the renal pelvis in the center of the kidney.
Wilms tumor is a rare type of kidney cancer that is the most often found in children around 3-4 years old. It usually forms in only one kidney.
Another type of rare kidney cancer, renal sarcoma forms in the renal veins (the veins that carry filtered blood back up to the heart for circulation). This type of kidney cancer is more likely to recur and spread than other forms.
As with most cancers, the earlier kidney cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it can be successfully treated. Signs of kidney cancer include:
Many causes of kidney cancer are unknown. However, the known kidney cancer risk factors include:
Unfortunately, there are no screenings or exams to detect kidney cancer in people of average risk. However, the following preventive factors may help reduce the risk:
If you’re experiencing symptoms of kidney cancer, it can be overwhelming. Mercy is here to help with everything from diagnosis to treatment.
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive oncology testing services to diagnose all types of cancer including:
At Mercy, we offer compassionate care for a variety of cancer treatment services, including: