Renal cancer is a disease that affects the kidneys. Its spelling is based on the Latin word for kidney, "renes," which is pronounced [ˈreː.neːs]. In English, the word "renal" is spelled with /ɹiːnəl/ (REE-nuhl), with the stress on the first syllable. The word "cancer" is spelled with /ˈkænsər/ (KAN-suh), with the stress on the second syllable. Renal cancer is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure or even death if not treated promptly.
Renal cancer, also known as kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma, refers to a malignant tumor that originates in the cells of the kidney. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdominal region, responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine.
Renal cancer typically develops when cells within the renal tubules, the tiny structures in the kidneys that filter the blood, undergo abnormal growth and multiplication. This abnormal proliferation can form a tumor, which can either remain confined to the kidney or spread to other parts of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes or distant organs like the bones, lungs, or liver.
The condition can present with various symptoms or may be asymptomatic in its early stages. Some common indications of renal cancer include blood in the urine (hematuria), persistent pain in the back or side, weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. However, these symptoms can be attributed to other non-cancerous conditions as well, which is why medical evaluation and diagnosis are crucial.
Renal cancer can be classified into different stages, ranging from stage I (localized tumor) to stage IV (advanced disease with distant metastasis). Treatment options may include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.
Regular screenings, such as imaging tests and urine analysis, can aid in the early detection of renal cancer, improving the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival.
The term "renal cancer" is derived from two components: "renal" and "cancer".
1. Renal: The word "renal" comes from the Latin word "renes", meaning "kidneys". It was borrowed into English from the French word "rénal" around the early 18th century. "Renal" refers to anything related to the kidneys.
2. Cancer: "Cancer" dates back to ancient Greece, where it was referred to as "karkinos", meaning "crab". The term was used to describe abnormal growths with crab-like projections due to their resemblance to a crab's limbs. The word was later borrowed into Latin as "cancer". Over time, it came to describe the disease that involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Combining these two terms, "renal cancer" refers to the formation of malignant tumors in the kidneys.