What does kidney cancer affect in the body?
What does kidney cancer affect in the body?
Most kidney cancers are renal cell carcinoma (RCC), sometimes called renal adenocarcinoma. Usually only one kidney is affected, but in rare cases both kidneys can be affected. As the cancer grows, it can spread to areas near the kidney. It may also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
How does kidney cancer affect kidney function?
Cancer can damage the kidney and interfere with its ability to filter wastes out of the blood. One common symptom of renal cell cancer is blood in the urine.
What happens to your cells when you have kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer is a disease that starts in the kidneys. It happens when healthy cells in one or both kidneys grow out of control and form a lump (called a tumor).
What happens to your body when you have kidney cancer?
Cancer in the kidneys can lead to a lack of enough red blood cells, called anemia. Red blood cells transport oxygen to your body’s tissues. When you don’t have enough of them, you’ll become tired, pale, and short of breath.
How does metastatic renal cell carcinoma affect the body?
The Effects of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma on the Body. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located near your back. Each day, they filter wastes and extra water from your blood to produce urine. The kidneys also release hormones that regulate blood pressure and other body functions.
When does kidney cancer spread to your bones?
When renal cell canceris “metastatic,” that means it has spread from your kidneyto other parts of your body. Bones are a common place for this cancer to travel. It’s harder to treat the disease once it has spread to your bones — but it’s not impossible. There are therapies that target cancer cells anywhere in your body.
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer spread to the lungs?
A persistent cough is the most common symptom of cancer spread to the lungs. 8 Other symptoms that may occur include wheezing, coughing up blood, or pain in the chest, shoulder, or back. Shortness of breath is a common symptom of kidney cancer, both as a symptom of a cancer that has spread to the lungs and due to anemia.