Kidney tumor

The exact causes of kidney tumors are not fully understood, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing kidney cancer. These include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic renal insufficiency, long-term treatment with painkillers and exposure to chemicals such as cadmium and lead. Genetic factors and a family history can also play a role.

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Persistent pain in the lower back or side
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Tiredness and general malaise
• Fever that cannot be explained by an infection

The diagnosis is usually made using imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods help to determine the size and location of the tumor and to develop the best treatment strategy. In some cases, a biopsy is also performed to confirm the type of tumor.

• Conservative: For small, slow-growing tumors, wait-and-see monitoring with regular check-ups can be considered.
• Medication: For advanced or metastatic kidney tumors, targeted therapies or immunotherapies can be used to control tumor growth.
• Surgical: The most common treatment method is surgical removal of the tumor. Either the affected part of the kidney (partial kidney resection) or the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy) can be removed. The procedure is often performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

Avoiding risk factors such as smoking, obesity and exposure to harmful chemicals can reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer. Regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle also contribute to prevention.