Kidney stones are bad enough, but if you ever questioned as to whether the stones could give you something worse like kidney cancer, then you are not alone. It is a typical thing for a person to feel such a way, and it is reasonable to ask that kind of question. Doctors and researchers have no clear idea of what leads to most kidney cancers. However, there are many risk factors associated with it.
Risk factors are therefore signs that make one more prone to getting a disease.
Risk factors are varied depending on the different types of cancer. But this does not necessarily mean that you will have that specific type of cancer even if you possess one or many of those risk factors.
The preliminary step to looking after your health is comprehending it. Here, we’ll explain the relationship between kidney stones and kidney cancer and help you understand the difference between them without using complicated terms.
What Are the Risks and Causes of Kidney Cancer?
Like most cancers, this cancer grows gradually and can remain undetected, thus an understanding of risk factors will be useful. Understanding what is likely to lead to kidney cancer is therefore essential so as to be on the lookout for early signs.
- Poor diet –
Poor diet is a relative risk factor for kidney cancer, similarly to other types of cancer;
- Smoking –
One of them is smoking. Sold chemicals in tobacco are toxic and cause damage to the kidneys leading to high risks of developing cancer. One can reduce this risk by quitting smoking.
- Obesity –
Obesity causes hormonal imbalances that are likely to lead to formation of kidney tumors. Weight control can form part of preventive measures depending on an individual’s weight status and family history.
- High Blood Pressure –
Hypertension is not only a heart disease, but also a kidney disease that is likely to raise cancer rate.
- Family History –
Kidney mishaps may be inherited but if in your lineage there are recognized cases of kidney cancer then you are in an even more risky group. It is possible that genetics do come into play, so everyone should get checked out periodically.
- Occupational Exposure –
While occupational exposure to some of the substances like asbestos or cadmium may increase your risk. These are frequent in some industrial and manufacturing occupations.
- Kidney Disease or Dialysis –
Chronic kidney disease and long term dialysis also increases risk of kidney cancer.
- Age and Gender –
The kidney cancer occurs in higher proportions in the male sex and in patients who are over a period of 50 years.
- Possible Risk Factors in Kidney Cancer –
While the exact cause of kidney cancer isn’t always clear, certain lifestyle and environmental factors can increase the risk:
- Cell Mutation –
Cancer is characterised by mutations of normal kidney cells with abnormal ability to multiply beyond their usual rate.
- Chemical Exposure –
Such mutations are brought about by a prolonged contact with the hazardous chemicals in the ambient air or at the workplace.
- Uncontrolled Health Conditions –
Diabetes or high blood pressure if left uncontrolled may cause a disease to some kidney cells and hence come with a high probability of cancer.
Can kidney stones turn into kidney cancer: Here’s The Truth
Kidney stones are composed solid masses that form in the kidneys; this can be relatively painful. The thrust of worry among people experiencing kidney stones is whether or not such stones can cause kidney cancer. Now let us try to clarify real facts about the association between corrosive deposits and renal cancer.
About Kidney Stones and Kidney Cancer
Kidney stones are formed when substances, such as calcium, phosphates and other salts in the Urine saturate and harden to form stones. They can also defer in size and can be associated with signs such as acute pain, haematuria, and nausea. Kidney cancer, on the other hand, consists of cancerous or malignant cells that grow within the kidney tissues yet unauthorized. The most common subgroup is renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Is There a Direct Link?
The present study reveals that kidney stones do not cause kidney cancer themselves but a past history of one has a positive relationship with developing a kidney cancer. A meta-analysis of seventeen studies indicated that people with a history of experiencing untwisted stones are able to undergo RCC 1.76 periods higher than people without such a record. This was realised in the group of males and accompanied by increased risk of stroke.
The study done on enrolment into the Netherlands Cohort Study showed that people with kidney stone had 1.39 fold increased risk of RCC and 1.66 fold of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. This was especially seen in Papillary RCC among patients diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Several theories may explain the observed association between kidney stones and kidney cancer :-
- Chronic Inflammation: Inflammation in the urinary tract as seen in patients with kidney stones may lead to cellular changes that enhance cancer risk.
- Shared Risk Factors: Smoking, obesity, hypertension and Lynch II – they all are linked with both, kidney stones and kidney cancer.
- Genetic Predisposition: Individuals with a genetic tendency toward metabolic disorders may be more susceptible to both kidney stones and kidney cancer.
What are the Preventive Measures and Monitoring?
Nevertheless, it important to know that having kidney stones is a risk factor for developing kidney cancer although the increases risk is not significantly high. Nevertheless, those suffering from kidney stones should pay frequent visits to doctors for check-ups and often have imaging tests for their kidneys.
To reduce the risk of both kidney stones and kidney cancer:
- Stay Hydrated: The consumption of sufficient amount of water reduces the formation of the stone moreover, maintains kidney health.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: Diet is really really important and plays a key role in prevention of the stone formation and also the diet low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables is good for health.
- Avoid Smoking: Tobacco smoking is an independent risk factor in many different cancers including the kidney.
- Manage Weight and Blood Pressure: Obesity and hypertension are associated; healthy weight and good BP are desirable; and the use of conventional treatment for the two is appropriate.
Kidney stones are a risk factor for kidney cancer but it increases susceptibility of the disease among men only. It is for this reason that prevention and periodic follow-up should be emphasized to persons who have formed kidney stones in the past. Engaging a heath advisor means that a person will be advised according to their medical history.
CureStone: Your Partner in Kidney Health
It is unfortunate but kidney problems may prove overwhelming at times This is the reason CureStone is here to offer a lifetime solution. We have expert urologist and team that will not allow your case to be treated as just another number, our staff is geared towards bringing out the best in your care.
As for communication, at CureStone we go beyond providing you assistance in your current issues related to kidney stones. We work on future successful prevention, making your world stone-free. This is your full cycle of care, from the time we begin discussing your surgery to the end of the recovery period, and everything in between is all about your comfort and your long term well-being.
Through introducing solutions and methods of avoiding formation of the kidney stones we hope that their occurrence in the future will greatly diminish. Educational, assessment, prescriptive, and maintenance services are utilized in an attempt to address the real factors that contribute to the formation of stones.
Don’t let kidney disease become your reality; be proactive about preserving your kidney function. Contact CureStone to speak with a specialist and get support from friendly staff. I would like to end this article and its efforts to help people find ways to improve their health and not have to worry about kidney stones with confidence in that change.