How to Screen for Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a cancer form characterized by abnormal proliferation of cells lining the kidneys. Renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer developing in the cells lining the tubules of the kidneys, is one of the most common forms of this condition affecting adults. As per the findings of the National Cancer Institute, nearly 50,000 new kidney cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, out of which approximately 11,000 perish of the disease. As there is no complete cure yet for kidney cancer, an early diagnosis often becomes quite essential.

Instructions

Diagnosing Kidney Cancer

• 1

  Undergo a thorough physical examination. In the physical examination, a physician would check your general signs of health including checking for symptoms of kidney cancer such as lumps or lesions near the abdominal region. Many times your past health history along with your eating habits are also taken down by the doctor.

• 2

  Cystoscopy is another common diagnostic method used to detect kidney cancer. In a cystoscopy the doctor inserts a thin, long instrument known as the cystoscope through your urethra into the bladder. The cystoscope is fitted with a light source in order to help the doctor in examining your bladder for the presence of any abnormal lumps of cells. This procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia in order to reduce the pain experienced.

• 3

  Consider undergoing an ultrasound (also sometimes called sonography). An ultrasound utilizes high- frequency waves of sound in order to generate black and white images of your internal organs including the kidneys. By studying these images the doctor can locate any abnormal lesions or mass of cells near or in your kidneys.

• 4

  Intravenous pyelogram is another method used to test for kidney cancer. In this method, a dye is injected through your vein; and as this dye spreads throughout the body, a number of x-rays are taken of the kidneys, bladder and the ureters in order to detect any cancerous growth in them.

• 5

  MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan and CT (Computerized Tomography) are some of the other common methods used for diagnosing kidney cancer. MRI scanning involves the usage of radio-waves, magnet and a computer in order to take detailed pictures of your internal organs including the kidneys. These pictures are hence examined for the presence of cancerous cells. On the other hand, in a CT scan, a dye is injected through your vein and then pictures are taken from different angles of your internal organs including the kidneys to check for any malignancy.