Kidney Cancer
NIH Publication No. 96-1569 Originally Posted: 9/28/1998 Last Modified: 12/12/2000

Introduction

Each year, more than 28,000 people in the United States learn that they have kidney cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has written this booklet to help people with kidney cancer and their families and friends better understand this disease. We hope others will read it as well to learn more about kidney cancer.

Words that may be new to readers appear in italics. Definitions of these and other terms related to kidney cancer can be found in the Dictionary. For some words, a "sounds-like" spelling is also given.

This booklet discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and followup care. It also has information to help patients cope with kidney cancer.

Our knowledge about kidney cancer keeps increasing. For up-to-date information or to order this publication, call the NCI-supported Cancer Information Service (CIS) toll free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

The CIS staff uses a National Cancer Institute cancer information database called PDQ and other NCI resources to answer callers' questions. Cancer information specialists can send callers information from PDQ and other NCI materials about cancer, its treatment, and living with the disease.

The Kidneys

The kidneys are two reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs located just above the waist, one on each side of the spine. They are part of the urinary system. Their main function is to filter blood and produce urine to rid the body of waste. As blood flows through the kidneys, they remove waste products and unneeded water. The resulting liquid, urine, collects in the middle of each kidney in an area called the renal pelvis. Urine drains from each kidney through a long tube, the ureter, into the bladder, where it is stored. Urine leaves the body through another tube, called the urethra.

The kidneys also produce substances that help control blood pressure and regulate the formation of red blood cells.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of many different diseases that have some important things in common. They all affect cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know about normal cells and about what happens when cells become cancerous.

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep the body healthy. Sometimes cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. A mass of extra tissue forms, and this mass is called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant.

• Benign tumors are not cancer. They often can be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

• Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. These cancer cells can invade and destroy the tissue around them. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This process is how cancer spreads from the original (primary) tumor to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Kidney Cancer

Several types of cancer can develop in the kidney. This booklet discusses renal cell cancer, the most common form of kidney cancer in adults. Transitional cell cancer (carcinoma), which affects the renal pelvis, is a less common form of kidney cancer. It is similar to cancer that occurs in the bladder and is often treated like bladder cancer. Wilms' tumor, the most common type of childhood kidney cancer, is different from kidney cancer in adults. The Cancer Information Service can provide information about transitional cell cancer and Wilms' tumor.

As kidney cancer grows, it may invade organs near the kidney, such as the liver, colon, or pancreas. Kidney cancer cells may also break away from the original tumor and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. When kidney cancer spreads, cancer cells may appear in the lymph nodes. For this reason, lymph nodes near the kidney may be removed during surgery. If the pathologist finds cancer cells in the lymph nodes, it may mean that the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Kidney cancer may spread and form new tumors, most often in the bones or lungs. The new tumors have the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the original (primary) tumor in the kidney. For example, if kidney cancer spreads to the lungs, the cancer cells in the lungs are kidney cancer cells. The disease is metastatic kidney cancer; it is not lung cancer.

Symptoms

In its early stages, kidney cancer usually causes no obvious signs or troublesome symptoms. However, as a kidney tumor grows, symptoms may occur. These may include:

• Blood in the urine. Blood may be present one day and not the next. In some cases, a person can actually see the blood, or traces of it may be found in urinalysis, a lab test often performed as part of a regular medical checkup.

• A lump or mass in the kidney area.

Other less common symptoms may include:

• Fatigue;
• Loss of appetite;
• Weight loss;
• Recurrent fevers;
• A pain in the side that doesn't go away; and/or
• A general feeling of poor health.

High blood pressure or a lower than normal number of red cells in the blood (anemia ) may also signal a kidney tumor; however, these symptoms occur less often.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems such as an infection or a cyst. Only a doctor can make a diagnoses. People with any of these symptoms may see their family doctor or a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary system. Usually, early cancer does not cause pain; it is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.

In most cases, the earlier cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better a person's chance for a full recovery.

Diagnosis

To find the cause of symptoms, the doctor asks about the patient's medical history and does a physical exam. In addition to checking for general signs of health, the doctor may perform blood and urine tests. The doctor may also carefully feel the abdomen for lumps or irregular masses.

The doctor usually orders tests that produce pictures of the kidneys and nearby organs. These pictures can often show changes in the kidney and surrounding tissue. For example, an IVP (intravenous pyelogram) is a series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder after the injection of a dye. The dye may be placed in the body through a needle or a narrow tube called a catheter. The pictures produced can show changes in the shape of these organs and nearby lymph nodes.

Another test, arteriography, is a series of x-rays of the blood vessels. Dye is injected into a large blood vessel through a catheter. X-rays show the dye as it moves through the network of smaller blood vessels in and around the kidney.

Other imaging tests may include CT scan, MRI, and ultrasonography, which can show the difference between diseased and healthy tissues.

If test results suggest that kidney cancer may be present, a biopsy may be performed; it is the only sure way to diagnose cancer. During a biopsy for kidney cancer, a thin needle is inserted into the tumor and a sample of tissue is withdrawn. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Once kidney cancer is diagnosed, the doctor will want to learn the stage, or extent, of the disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, what parts of the body are affected. This information is needed to plan a patient's treatment.

To stage kidney cancer, the doctor may use additional MRI and x-ray studies of the tissues and blood vessels in and around the kidney. The doctor can check for swollen lymph nodes in the chest and abdomen through CT scans. Chest x-rays can often show whether cancer has spread to the lungs. Bone scans reveal changes that may be a sign that the cancer has spread to the bones.

A person who needs a biopsy may want to ask the doctor some of the following questions:

• How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
• How soon will I know the results?
• If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? When?

Treatment

Treatment for kidney cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's general health and age, and other factors. The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs.

People with kidney cancer are often treated by a team of specialists, which may include a urologist, an oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. Kidney cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, biological therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Sometimes a special treatment called arterial embolization is used. The doctors may decide to use one treatment method or a combination of methods.

Some people take part in a clinical trial (research study) using new treatment methods. Such studies are designed to improve cancer treatment.

Getting a Second Opinion

Before starting treatment, the patient may want a second pathologist to review the diagnosis and another specialist to review the treatment plan. A short delay will not reduce the chance that treatment will be successful. Some insurance companies require a second opinion; many others will cover a second opinion if the patient requests it.

There are a number of ways a person can find a doctor who can give a second opinion:

• The person's doctor may be able to suggest pathologists and specialists to consult.

• The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell callers about treatment facilities, including cancer centers and other programs supported by the National Cancer Institute.

• People can get the names of doctors from a local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school.

• The Directory of Medical Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and their background. This book is in most public libraries.

Preparing for Treatment

Many people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult for patients to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. Often, it helps to make a list of questions. To help remember what the doctor says, people may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some patients also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor--to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins:

• What type of kidney cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of the disease?
• What are the treatment choices? Which do you recommend? Why?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• What are the chances that the treatment will be successful?
• What new treatments are being studied in clinical trials? Would a clinical trial be appropriate?
• How long will treatment last?
• Will I have to stay in the hospital?
• Will treatment affect my normal activities? If so, for how long?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?

People do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the answers at one time. Questions may arise throughout the treatment process. Patients may wish to ask doctors, nurses, or other members of the health care team to explain things further or to provide more information.

Methods of Treatment

Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. An operation to remove the kidney is called a nephrectomy. Most often, the surgeon removes the whole kidney along with the adrenal gland and the tissue around the kidney. Some lymph nodes in the area may also be removed. This procedure is called a radical nephrectomy. In some cases, the surgeon removes only the kidney (simple nephrectomy). The remaining kidney generally is able to perform the work of both kidneys. In another procedure, partial nephrectomy, the surgeon removes just the part of the kidney that contains the tumor.

Arterial embolization is sometimes used before an operation to make surgery easier. It also may be used to provide relief from pain or bleeding when removal of the tumor is not possible. Small pieces of a special gelatin sponge or other material are injected through a catheter to clog the main renal blood vessel. This procedure shrinks the tumor by depriving it of the oxygen-carrying blood and other substances it needs to grow.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before surgery:

• What kind of operation will it be?
• Will further treatment be necessary? What kind?
• How will I feel after the operation?
• If I have pain, how will you help?
• When will I be able to resume my normal activities?

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Doctors sometimes use radiation therapy to relieve pain (palliative therapy) when kidney cancer has spread to the bone.

Radiation therapy for kidney cancer involves external radiation, which comes from radioactive material outside the body. A machine aims the rays at a specific area of the body. Most often, treatment is given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic 5 days a week for several weeks. This schedule helps protect normal tissue by spreading out the total dose of radiation. The patient does not need to stay in the hospital for radiation therapy, and patients are not radioactive during or after treatment.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before having radiation therapy:

• What is the goal of this treatment?
• When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
• How will I feel during therapy? What are the possible side effects?
• What can I do to take care of myself during therapy?
• How will I know if the radiation therapy is working?
• Will I be able to continue my normal activities during treatment?

Surgery and arterial embolization are local therapy; they affect cancer cells only in the treated area. Biological therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, explained below, are systemic treatments because they travel through the bloodstream and can reach cells throughout the body.

Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a form of treatment that uses the body's natural ability (immune system) to fight cancer. Interleukin-2 and interferon are types of biological therapy used to treat advanced kidney cancer. Clinical trials continue to examine better ways to use biological therapy while reducing the side effects patients may experience. Many people having biological therapy stay in the hospital during treatment so that these side effects can be monitored.

These are some questions patients may want to ask the doctor before starting biological therapy:

• What is the goal of the treatment?
• What drugs will be used?
• Will the treatment cause side effects? If so, what can be done about them?
• Will I have to be in the hospital to receive treatment?
• When will I be able to resume my normal activities?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Although useful in the treatment of many other cancers, chemotherapy has shown only limited effectiveness against kidney cancer. However, researchers continue to study new drugs and new drug combinations that may prove to be more useful.

Hormone therapy is used in a small number of patients with advanced kidney cancer. Some kidney cancers may be treated with hormones to try to control the growth of cancer cells. More often, it is used as palliative therapy.

These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor before having chemotherapy or hormone therapy:

• What is the goal of this treatment?
• What drugs will I be taking?
• Will I have side effects? What can I do about them?
• How long will I be on the treatment?

Clinical Trials

Many people with kidney cancer take part in clinical trials (treatment studies). Doctors conduct clinical trials to learn about the effectiveness and side effects of new treatments. In some clinical trials, all patients receive the new treatment. In other trials, doctors compare different therapies by giving the new treatment to one group of patients and the standard therapy to another group.

People who take part in these studies have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in early research. They also make an important contribution to medical science.

In clinical trials for kidney cancer, doctors are studying new ways of giving radiation therapy and chemotherapy, new drugs and drug combinations, biological therapies, and new ways of combining various types of treatment. Some trials are designed to study ways to reduce the side effects of treatment and to improve quality of life.

Patients who are interested in taking part in a trial should talk with their doctor. They may want to read the National Cancer Institute booklet Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know, which explains the possible benefits and risks of treatment studies.

One way to learn about clinical trials is through PDQ, a computerized resource developed by the National Cancer Institute. PDQ contains information about cancer treatment and about clinical trials in progress throughout the country. The Cancer Information Service can provide PDQ information to patients and the public.

Side Effects of Treatment

It is hard to limit the effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are removed or destroyed. Because treatment also damages healthy cells and tissues, it often causes unwanted side effects.

The side effects of cancer therapy depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Also, side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may even change from one treatment to the next. Doctors and nurses can explain the possible side effects of therapy, and they can help relieve problems that may occur during and after treatment. Patients should notify a doctor of the side effects they are having, as some may require immediate medical attention.

Surgery

The side effects of kidney surgery depend on the type of operation, the patient's general health, and other factors. Nephrectomy is major surgery, and after the operation most people have pain and discomfort. Patients may find it difficult to breathe deeply due to discomfort from surgery; they may have to do special coughing and breathing exercises to help keep their lungs clear. It is also common for patients who have had surgery to feel tired or weak for a while.

In addition, patients may need intravenous (IV) feeding and fluids for several days before and after the operation. When a kidney is removed, the one remaining kidney takes over the work of both. Nurses will monitor the amount of fluid a person takes in and the amount of urine produced. The length of time it takes to recover from an operation varies for each person.

Arterial Embolization

Arterial embolization can cause pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Often, people need IV fluids as the body recovers from this procedure.

Radiation Therapy

With radiation therapy, the side effects depend on the treatment dose and the part of the body that is treated. Patients are likely to become very tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.

It is common for the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy. There may be permanent darkening or "bronzing" of the skin in the treated area. Radiation to the kidney and nearby areas may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or urinary discomfort. It may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, cells that help protect the body against infection. The National Cancer Institute booklet Radiation Therapy and You has helpful information about radiation therapy and managing its side effects.

Biological Therapy

The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the type of treatment. These treatments may cause flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients often feel very tired after treatment, and they may bleed or bruise easily. Some people also get a skin rash. In addition, interleukin therapy can cause swelling and can interfere with normal liver or kidney function. These problems can be severe, but they go away after the treatment stops.

Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs that are given. In general, anticancer drugs affect rapidly growing cells, such as blood cells that fight infection, cells that line the digestive tract, and cells in the hair follicles. As a result, patients may have side effects such as lower resistance to infection, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. They may also have less energy and may lose their hair.

Hormone Therapy

The side effects of hormone therapy are usually mild. Progesterone is the hormone most often used to treat kidney cancer. Drugs containing progesterone may cause changes in appetite and weight. They may also cause swelling or fluid retention. These side effects generally go away after treatment.

Nutrition for Cancer Patients

Eating well during cancer treatment means getting enough calories and protein to help prevent weight loss and regain strength. Patients who eat well often feel better and have more energy.

Some people find it hard to eat well during treatment for kidney cancer. They may lose their appetite. In addition to loss of appetite, common side effects of treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores, can make eating difficult. For some people, food tastes different. Also, people may not feel like eating when they are uncomfortable or tired.

Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can offer advice for healthy eating during cancer treatment. Patients and their families also may want to read the National Cancer Institute booklet, Eating Hints for Cancer Patients, which contains many useful suggestions.

Followup Care

Regular followup by the doctor is important after treatment for kidney cancer. The doctor will suggest appropriate followup that may include a physical exam, chest x-rays, and laboratory tests. The doctor sometimes orders scans and other tests. Patients should continue to have followup visits. They should also report any problem as soon as it appears.

Support for Cancer Patients

Living with a serious illness is not easy. People with cancer and those who care about them face many problems and challenges. Coping with these problems is often easier when people have helpful information and support services. Several useful booklets, including Taking Time, are available from the Cancer Information Service.

Friends and relatives can be very supportive. Also, it helps many people to discuss their concerns with others who have or have had cancer. Cancer patients often get together in support groups, where they can share what they have learned about coping with cancer and the effects of treatment. It is important to keep in mind, however, that each person is different. Treatments and ways of dealing with cancer that work for one person may not be right for another--even if they both have the same kind of cancer. It is always a good idea to discuss the advice of friends and family members with the doctor.

People living with cancer may worry about the future. They may worry about holding their job, caring for their family, or keeping up with daily activities. Concerns about tests, treatments, hospital stays, and medical bills are also common. Doctors, nurses, and other members of the health care team can answer questions about treatment, working, or other activities. They can also discuss outlook (prognosis) and the activity level people may be able to manage. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy also can be helpful to people who want to talk about their feelings or discuss their concerns. Often, a social worker at the hospital or clinic can suggest groups that can help with rehabilitation, emotional support, financial aid, transportation, or home care. For example, the American Cancer Society has many services for patients and their families. Local offices of the American Cancer Society are listed in the white pages of the telephone directory.

What the Future Holds

People with kidney cancer and their families are naturally concerned about what the future holds. Sometimes they use statistics to try to figure out the chances of being cured. It is important to remember, however, that statistics are averages based on large numbers of people. They cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular person because no two people are alike; treatments and responses vary greatly. The doctor who takes care of the patient is in the best position to talk with the patient about the chance of recovery.

The outlook for people with early stage kidney cancer is positive. Kidney cancer is often cured if it is found and treated before it has spread. Many researchers are trying to find better ways to detect kidney cancer at an early stage. They are also continuing to look for new and better ways to treat advanced kidney cancer.

When doctors talk about surviving cancer, they may use the term remission rather than cure. Although many kidney cancer patients are cured, doctors use this term because the disease can return. (The return of cancer after treatment is called a recurrence.)

Possible Causes and Prevention

Scientists at hospitals and medical centers all across the country are studying kidney cancer. They are trying to learn what causes this disease and how to prevent it. At this time, scientists do not know exactly what causes kidney cancer, and they can seldom explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious; no one can "catch" kidney cancer from another person.

Researchers study patterns of cancer in the population to look for factors that are more common in people who get kidney cancer than in people who don't get this disease. These studies help researchers find possible risk factors for kidney cancer. It is important to know that most people with these risk factors do not get cancer, and people who do get kidney cancer may have none of these factors.

As with most other types of cancer, studies show that the risk of kidney cancer increases with age. It occurs most often between the ages of 50 and 70. It affects almost twice as many men as women. In addition, kidney cancer is somewhat more common among African American men than White men. Other risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• Tobacco use: Research shows that smokers are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer as nonsmokers. In addition, the longer a person smokes, the higher the risk. However, the risk of kidney cancer decreases for those who quit smoking.

• Obesity: Obesity may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. In several studies, obesity has been associated with increased risk in women. One report suggests that being overweight may be a risk factor for men, too. The reasons for this possible link are not clear.

• Occupational exposure: A number of studies have examined occupational exposures to see whether they increase workers' chances of developing kidney cancer. Studies suggest, for example, that coke oven workers in steel plants have above-average rates of kidney cancer. In addition, there is some evidence that asbestos in the workplace, which has been linked to cancers of the lung and mesothelium (a membrane that surrounds internal organs of the body), also increases the risk of some kidney cancers.

• Radiation: Women who have been treated with radiation therapy for disorders of the uterus may have a slightly increased risk of developing kidney cancer. Also, people who were exposed to thorotrast (thorium dioxide), a radioactive substance used in the 1920s with certain diagnostic x-rays, have an increased rate of kidney cancer. However, this substance is no longer in use, and scientists think that radiation accounts for an extremely small percentage of the total number of kidney cancers.

• Phenacetin: Some people have developed kidney cancer after heavy, long-term use of this drug. This painkilling drug is no longer sold in the United States.

• Dialysis: Patients on long-term use of dialysis to treat chronic kidney failure have an increased risk of developing renal cysts and renal cancer. Further study is needed to learn more about the long-term effects of dialysis on patients with kidney failure.

• Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease: Researchers have found that people who have this inherited disorder are at greater risk of developing renal cell carcinoma, as well as tumors in other organs. Researchers have found the gene responsible for VHL, and they believe that the isolation of this gene may lead to improved methods of diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of some kidney cancers.

People who think they may be at risk for developing kidney cancer should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and help plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

Another Federal Resource: National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse

This clearinghouse is a service of the Federal Government's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It can supply free information about noncancerous kidney conditions and other urinary tract problems. The address is NKUDIC, Three Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3580; the telephone number is 301-654-4415.

Other Booklets

The National Cancer Institute booklets listed below and others are available from the Cancer Information Service by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.

Booklets About Cancer Treatment

• Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Treatment
• Help Yourself During Chemotherapy: 4 Steps for Patients
• Radiation Therapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Treatment
• Eating Hints for Cancer Patients
• Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know
• Pain Control: A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families
• Get Relief From Cancer Pain

• Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer and the People Who Care About Them
• Facing Forward: A Guide for Cancer Survivors
• When Someone in Your Family Has Cancer
• When Cancer Recurs: Meeting the Challenge Again
• Advanced Cancer: Living Each Day

National Cancer Institute Information Resources

You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your health care provider. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.

Telephone
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.

Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): 1-800-332-8615

Internet

These Web sites may be useful:

http://cancer.gov		NCI's primary Web site; contains information about the Institute and its programs.
http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov		cancerTrials™; NCI's comprehensive clinical trials information center for patients, health professionals, and the public. Includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether to participate in trials, finding specific trials, plus research news and other resources.
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov		CancerNet™; contains material for health professionals, patients, and the public, including information from PDQ® about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, genetics, and clinical trials; CANCERLIT®, a bibliographic database; and a dictionary with medical terms related to cancer.

E-mail
CancerMail
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, send e-mail to cancermail@icicc.nci.nih.gov with the word "help" in the body of the message.

Fax
CancerFax^®
Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, dial 1-800-624-2511 or 301-402-5874 from your touch tone phone or fax machine hand set and follow the recorded instructions.

Dictionary

abdomen (AB-do-men): The part of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

adrenal glands (ah-DREE-nal): A pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce sex hormones and hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions.

anemia (a-NEE-mee-a): A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal.

arterial embolization (ar-TEE-ree-al EM-bo-lih-ZAY-shun): The blocking of an artery by a clot of foreign material. This can be done as treatment to block the flow of blood to a tumor.

arteriography (ar-TEE-ree-AH-gra-fee): A procedure to x-ray arteries. The arteries can be seen because of an injection of a dye that outlines the vessels on an x-ray.

benign (beh-NINE): Not cancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

biological therapy (by-o-LAHJ-i-kul): Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.

biopsy (BY-ahp-see): The removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy or core biopsy. When an entire tumor or lesion is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration.

bladder: The organ that stores urine.

cancer: A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

catheter (KATH-i-ter): A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.

chemotherapy (kee-mo-THER-a-pee): Treatment with anticancer drugs.

clinical trial: A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease.

CT scan: Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

cyst (sist): A sac or capsule filled with fluid.

external radiation (ray-dee-AY-shun): Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. Also called external-beam radiation.

gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

hair follicles (FOL-i-kuls): Shafts or openings on the surface of the skin through which hair grows.

hormone therapy: Treatment of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones. Also called endocrine therapy.

hormones: Chemicals produced by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. Hormones control the actions of certain cells or organs.

immune system (im-YOON): The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infection or disease.

interferon (in-ter-FEER-on): A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

interleukin-2 (in-ter-LOO-kin): IL-2. A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease) that stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system. These substances are normally produced by the body. Aldesleukin is IL-2 that is made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

intravenous (in-tra-VEE-nus): IV. Into a vein.

IV: Intravenous (in-tra-VEE-nus). Injected into a blood vessel.

IVP: Intravenous pyelogram or intravenous pyelography (in-tra-VEE-nus PYE-el-o-gram or pye-LAH-gra-fee). A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The x-rays are taken after a dye is injected into a blood vessel. The dye is concentrated in the urine, which outlines the kidneys, ureters, and bladder on the x-rays.

kidneys (KID-neez): A pair of organs in the abdomen that remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin, and are responsible for the long-term regulation of blood pressure.

local therapy: Treatment that affects cells in the tumor and the area close to it.

lymph node: A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Also known as a lymph gland. Lymph nodes are spread out along lymphatic vessels and contain many lymphocytes, which filter the lymphatic fluid (lymph).

lymphatic system (lim-FAT-ik): The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infection and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes and a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells. These tubes branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body.

malignant (ma-LIG-nant): Cancerous; a growth with a tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

metastasis (meh-TAS-ta-sis): The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Tumors formed from cells that have spread are called "secondary tumors" and contain cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural is metastases.

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (mag-NET-ik REZ-o- nans IM-a-jing). A procedure in which a magnet linked to a computer is used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).

nephrectomy (nef-REK-toe-mee): Surgery to remove a kidney. Radical nephrectomy removes the kidney, the adrenal gland, nearby lymph nodes, and other surrounding tissue. Simple nephrectomy removes only the kidney. Partial nephrectomy removes the tumor but not the entire kidney.

oncologist (on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

palliative therapy: Treatment given to relieve symptoms caused by advanced cancer. Palliative therapy does not alter the course of a disease but improves the quality of life.

pathologist (pa-THOL-o-jist): A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

progesterone (pro-JES-ter-own): A female hormone.

prognosis (prog-NO-sis): The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.

radiation oncologist (ray-dee-AY-shun on-KOL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.

radiation therapy (ray-dee-AY-shun): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy.

red blood cells: RBCs. Cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Also called erythrocytes.

remission: A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although there still may be cancer in the body.

renal cell cancer: Cancer that develops in the lining of the renal tubules, which filter the blood and produce urine.

risk factor: A habit, trait, condition, or genetic alteration that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.

side effects: Problems that occur when treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.

stage: The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

surgery: A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present.

systemic (sis-TEM-ik): Affecting the entire body.

tissue (TISH-oo): A group or layer of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific function.

transitional cell carcinoma: A type of cancer that develops in the lining of the bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis.

tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

ultrasonography (UL-tra-son-OG-ra-fee): A procedure in which sound waves (called ultrasound) are bounced off tissues and the echoes are converted to a picture (sonogram).

ureter (yoo-REE-ter): The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

urethra (yoo-REE-thra): The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder.

urinalysis: A test that determines the content of the urine.

urinary tract (YOO-rin-air-ee): The organs of the body that produce and discharge urine. These include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

urine (YOO-rin): Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.

urologist (yoo-RAHL-o-jist): A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary and sex organs in males.

white blood cell: A type of cell in the immune system that helps the body fight infection and disease. White blood cells include lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, and others.

Wilms' tumor: A kidney cancer that occurs in children usually younger than 5 years.

x-ray: High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer.

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