A kidney tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the kidney, which can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). While the exact cause of kidney tumors remains unclear, certain lifestyle factors are known to increase the risk.

What causes kidney tumors?

Kidney tumors can occur in anyone but are more common in individuals over the age of 65. Some small tumors, typically under 4 cm in size, tend to be benign and don’t usually spread. However, larger tumors are more likely to be malignant, growing quickly and spreading to other parts of the body.

Malignant kidney tumors can invade nearby tissues such as fat, blood vessels, or the adrenal glands around the kidney. These tumors may spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form new tumors in other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Although the precise cause is unknown, several lifestyle factors are linked to a higher risk of developing kidney tumors:

• Smoking and tobacco use: The chemicals in tobacco damage DNA in kidney cells, potentially leading to abnormal cell growth.
• Alcohol consumption: Alcohol contains substances that can impair organ function and damage kidney cells.
• Obesity: Being overweight causes inflammation and increases the risk of abnormal tissue growth in the kidneys.
• Hypertension: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, heightening the risk of kidney damage.
• Family history of kidney tumors: A family history of kidney tumors increases the likelihood of developing one.
• Chlorine exposure: Frequent exposure to chlorine-based chemicals can increase the risk of kidney tumors.

Treatment for kidney tumors

Treatment depends on the size of the tumor and whether it’s cancerous. Options include:

Regular monitoring

Small, non-cancerous tumors may not require immediate treatment. Doctors may recommend regular imaging tests to track growth, typically every 3, 6, or 12 months.

Ablation therapy

This involves destroying tumor cells by applying extreme heat or cold. Techniques like cryoablation (freezing) and radiofrequency ablation (heating) are commonly used.

Radiation therapy

Radiation is used to destroy kidney tumor cells, particularly in patients who have only one kidney and cannot undergo surgery.

Surgery

For larger or malignant tumors, doctors may recommend removing part or all of the affected kidney along with surrounding lymph nodes to prevent cancer spread.

Targeted drug therapy

When surgery is not an option or to prevent tumor regrowth, targeted drugs can be used. These drugs block blood vessel formation or proteins that fuel cancer growth.

Although the exact causes of kidney tumors are not fully understood, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk. If you have concerns or questions about kidney tumors, consult with a doctor. You can also make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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