Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney begin to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor.
The most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which accounts for around 90% of kidney cancers.
Your kidneys play an essential role in:
When normal cell regulation is disrupted, abnormal cells may accumulate and form a mass.
At the core, kidney cancer begins with changes in DNA inside kidney cells.
These changes can cause cells to:
In many cases, these DNA changes are not linked to a single cause, but may develop gradually due to a combination of factors.
The effectiveness of cancer treatment varies among each patient.
Certain factors are associated with a higher likelihood of developing kidney cancer:
Chemicals in tobacco may damage DNA and increase cancer risk.
Excess body weight may alter hormone levels and promote abnormal cell growth.
Long-term hypertension has been linked to increased kidney cancer risk.
Some inherited conditions (e.g., von Hippel–Lindau syndrome) may increase susceptibility.
Long-term kidney damage or dialysis may elevate risk.
One of the key challenges is that kidney cancer may develop silently in early stages.
Many people do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
However, these symptoms are not specific and may be related to other conditions.
Understanding how kidney cancer develops may help individuals:
While not all cases can be prevented, awareness plays an important role in early detection and care planning.
Precision medicine provides patients with clearer and more personalized treatment guidelines
Learn how precision medicine can help with your cancer treatment
The effectiveness of cancer treatment varies among each patient.