According to the American Cancer Society there are 51,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed each year in the United States.  The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma.  Renal cell carcinoma arises from the cells that form the normal filtering mechanism in the kidney.  The exact reason why these cells become cancerous is unknown, but several risk factors have been identified such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain chemical exposures in the workplace (asbestos, cadmium, trichloroethylene). 

In addition, people with certain hereditary genetic defects such as von Hippel Lindau disease are at increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma as well as other cancers. 

A less common type of kidney cancer is transitional cell carcinoma.  This type of kidney cancer arises from the cells in the center of the kidney that form the lining of the tube which collects the urine. 

Transitional cell carcinoma may also occur in the bladder and ureter.  Risk factors for transitional cell carcinoma include smoking, analgesic abuse, certain chemotherapeutic agents (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide), certain chemical exposure in the workplace (aniline dyes, petrochemicals) and exposures to coal, tar and asphalt.

 

This section is coming soon.