Kidney Cancer
Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage on either side of your spine. Their function is to filter fluids and waste products such as urine, whilst keeping a balance of necessary salts such as potassium, crucial for maintaining bodily health.
Kidney cancer arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the kidney. If left undetected and untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body.
Usually, kidney cancer is found in one kidney; however, there are rare instances where it may develop simultaneously in both kidneys.
Renal cell carcinoma, also known as renal adenocarcinoma, accounts for nearly all (90%) cases of kidney cancer (Source: MSD New Zealand).
Less prevalent forms of kidney cancer comprise:
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Wilms tumour
Wilms tumour (also known as nephroblastoma), is the most common type of kidney cancer in rangatahi.
Disclosure: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional or your healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice.
Support
Discovering you, or a member of your whānau, is facing a kidney cancer can be really hard. A diagnosis of kidney cancer can result in a range of mixed reactions and life challenges.
Cancer affects everyone differently. That’s why Canteen provides a wide range of free support services to help rangatahi manage the specific challenges they’re dealing with. Canteen services and events can help you find ways to cope with what life looks like now you are facing these unexpected challenges.
You can talk to one of our specialist clinical team about the impacts of cancer on your life. This can be either in person, over the phone, or online. Rangatahi can also connect online 24/7 with peers who understand what you’re going through.
Visit the Cancer Control Agency website for more information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer, or speak to your Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) key worker at hospital.