Genetic factors only account for 5-10 percent of the risk of developing cancer, while 90-95 percent are more likely to be caused by environmental factorsJakarta (ANTARA) - Smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure can cause Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), a type of kidney cancer, a specialist has said.
According to internal medicine specialist and hematology oncology specialist at Cipto Mangunkusumo Kencana Hospital, Dr. Nadia Ayu Mulansari, Sp.PD-KHOM, a family history of kidney cancer, exposure to certain chemicals at work, and long-term consumption of alcohol and painkillers can also be risk factors for this type of cancer.
"Genetic factors only account for 5-10 percent of the risk of developing cancer, while 90-95 percent are more likely to be caused by environmental factors. Therefore, to keep the body healthy, stop smoking and maintain an ideal body weight. Then, we also need to maintain blood pressure, eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, and exercise regularly," she said in a press release issued by the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI) here on Tuesday.
The specialist said that RCC is a malignant cell that grows in the kidney tubules. An aggressive type of cancer, RCC can spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, and brain, she informed. Therefore, early detection and monitoring of symptoms is very necessary for patients, she added.
In its early stages, this type of cancer usually does not cause any symptoms and a diagnosis is usually made based on incidental findings, either through a CT, MRT, or biopsy, Mulansari said.
However, once the cancer reaches an advanced stage, patients may see blood in the urine, reddish urine, suffer lower back pain on one side even though there is no injury, detect a lump on the side or lower back, often feel tired and lose their appetite, lose weight without dieting, have persistent fever even though there is no infection, and suffer from anemia or lack of red blood cells, she added.
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She reminded the public to always be cautious of bloody feces and urged them to immediately consult a doctor to get a diagnosis if they experience the symptom.
"Most patients are diagnosed with RCC when they are over 60 years old and the disease is diagnosed at an early stage. However, there are many patients who are also diagnosed at an advanced stage since the initial examination, so they require intensive and appropriate treatment to maintain their quality of life," she said.
According to GLOBOCAN data, new cases of kidney cancer in Indonesia reached 2,394 in 2020, with 1,358 or 57 percent of patients succumbing to the cancer. Meanwhile, globally, cases of kidney cancer reached 431,288, with 179,368 or 41 percent of patients dying of the disease.
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Treatment of RCC includes surgical nephrectomy or removal of tumor from the kidney, followed by systemic therapy, Mulansari said. If both kidneys are removed, the patient will need to undergo dialysis for life, she added.
With advances in treatment, RCC patients can now undergo immunotherapy or biologic therapy, she informed. Other therapies include targeted therapy, or treatment that targets just cancer cells, so that the effects on healthy cells are less severe, she added.
"Treatment options are adjusted according to the stage of RCC experienced by the patient. This treatment is carried out so that the patient's quality of life can become better," said the specialist.
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Translator: Lia Wanadriani Santosa, Katria
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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