Spotlight on kidney cancer Every person has two kidneys located above the waist on both sides of the spine. These bean-shaped organs are each about the size of a small fist and are located closer to the back of the body than to the front. Each kidney works independently so the body can function with less than one complete kidney. The kidneys filter blood to remove excess minerals, salts and impurities, as well as extra water. Blood pressure, red blood cell production, and other bodily functions are controlled by hormones produced by the kidneys.
In 2020 it was estimated:
2.9%
men
of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia
are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed as women
4,100+ diagnoses
of kidney cancer in Australia
What is kidney cancer? Kidney cancer has become increasingly more commonly diagnosed and survival rates continue to improve. This cancer is the 7th most diagnosed cancer in Australia and in 2020 it was estimated there would be 4,193 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed (2,755 males and 1,438 females). Kidney cancer is rare in people under 40 but risk does increase with age. Also, men are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with kidney cancer as women. Kidney cancer generally refers to renal cell cancer, which develops in the lining of the small tubes in the kidney. There is usually just a single tumour in one kidney, but sometimes there may be more than one tumour, or tumours in both kidneys. Kidney cancer can be subdivided into several different types, based on the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope as well as other genetic factors. About 90% of kidney cancers are renal cell cancer, and the most common subtype is clear cell renal cancer.
44 A LITTLE BELOW THE BELT
Other types of kidney cancers include: • U rothelial carcinoma. This is also called transitional cell carcinoma. It constitutes 5% to 10% of the kidney cancers diagnosed in adults. Urothelial carcinoma begins in the area of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the bladder, called the renal pelvis. This type of kidney cancer is treated like bladder cancer because both types of cancer begin in the same cells that line the renal pelvis and bladder. • W ilms tumour is most common in children and is treated differently from kidney cancer in adults. About 1% of kidney cancers are Wilms tumors. A different approach to treatment is used for this type of kidney cancer. This type of tumour is more likely to be successfully treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy than the other types of kidney cancer when combined with surgery. • Sarcoma of the kidney is rare. This type of cancer develops in the soft tissue of the kidney, i.e. the thin layer of connective tissue surrounding the kidney, called the capsule; or surrounding fat. This form of kidney cancer is usually treated with surgery. However, sarcoma commonly comes back in the kidney area or spreads to other parts of the body. After the first surgery additional surgery or chemotherapy may be recommended.
