da Vinci Surgery
 

Causes of Kidney Cancer

Researchers have found several risk factors that make you more likely to develop kidney cancer. The following may increase your risk of developing kidney cancer:1

  • Smoking
  • Hypertension
  • Obesity
  • Family history of kidney cancer
  • Chronic kidney failure and/or dialysis
  • Diet with high caloric intake or fried/sautéed meat
  • Von Hippel Lindau disease (rare genetic disorder that causes tumor growths)
  • Tuberous sclerosis (common genetic condition that produces growths in the body from birth throughout adulthood)

Origins

A kidney tumor is an abnormal growth in the kidney. The terms "mass," "lesion" and "tumor" are often used interchangeably. Tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common kidney mass is a fluid-filled area called a cyst. Simple cysts are benign, do not turn into cancer and usually do not require follow-up care. Solid kidney tumors can be benign, but are cancerous more than 90 percent of the time.1

Tumor Growth

It is possible that kidney cancer can grow into the renal vein and vena cava. The renal vein is the kidney's primary draining vein and the vena cava is the vein that takes blood to the heart. The portion of the cancer that extends into these veins is called "tumor thrombus." Imaging studies, such as an MRI, can help to find out if tumor thrombus is present.

Tumors must stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to provide the tumor with nutrients and oxygen. This process, known as angiogenesis, is needed for a tumor to grow and spread to other areas of the body. Kidney cancers are considered very angiogenic and are very efficient at travelling through the blood vessels in the body. They do this by secreting a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF acts on nearby blood vessels and stimulates them to sprout new vessels to supply the tumor.1

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

  1. “Kidney Cancer”, American Urological Association Foundation, www.urologyhealth.org, URL: http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=04&topic=124

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