Kidney Cancer Specialist
Urology Of Greater Atlanta
Every year 62,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney cancer. When detected early, kidney cancer is highly treatable, although it doesn’t usually cause symptoms in its early stages. At Urology of Greater Atlanta, in Atlanta, our board-certified urologists are experts in diagnosing and treating kidney cancer. Call today or book an appointment online with Urology of Greater Atlanta.
What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer develops when cells inside your kidney start to grow abnormally, multiplying rapidly, eventually forming a tumor. Your kidneys are fist-sized organs located behind the abdominal organs on each side of your spine. They filter waste products out of your blood, which leaves your body as urine.
Some of the warning signs of kidney cancer include pain in your lower back or sides, hematuria, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
What are the risk factors for kidney cancer?
The exact causes of kidney cancer aren’t fully understood, but medical researchers have identified several risk factors, including:
- A personal or family history of kidney cancer
- Smoking
- Long-term medication use
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Your risk of developing kidney cancer increases with age.
How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
The urologists at Urology of Greater Atlanta diagnose kidney cancer with an exam and testing. After reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors, your physician feels your back, sides, and abdomen for any lumps. They also usually order imaging services, including CT scans and MRIs.
If the imaging studies show abnormalities, your doctor performs a biopsy to collect a tissue sample to check for abnormal cells or evaluate the stage of your cancer.
What treatment is available for kidney cancer?
Your urologist creates a personalized treatment plan to fight kidney cancer. For example, if you have an elevated risk of the disease, your doctor might recommend active surveillance. However, if your condition is more advanced, your urologist might suggest a procedure to remove the abnormal cells, such as cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation.
In severe cases, your urologist can perform surgery to remove the tumor or the entire affected kidney. They offer traditional open surgeries as well as minimally invasive and robotic procedures.
You might also need to have chemotherapy or radiation to ensure that all cancerous cells have been destroyed.
If you’re concerned about kidney cancer, call Urology of Greater Atlanta today or make an appointment online today.
Kidney cancer develops when cells inside your kidney start to grow abnormally, multiplying rapidly, eventually forming a tumor. Your kidneys are fist-sized organs located behind the abdominal organs on each side of your spine. They filter waste products out of your blood, which leaves your body as urine.
The exact causes of kidney cancer aren’t fully understood, but medical researchers have identified several risk factors, including:
- A personal or family history of kidney cancer
- Smoking
- Long-term medication use
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Your risk of developing kidney cancer increases with age.
After reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors, your physician feels your back, sides, and abdomen for any lumps. They also usually order imaging services, including CT scans and MRIs.
If the imaging studies show abnormalities, your doctor performs a biopsy to collect a tissue sample to check for abnormal cells or evaluate the stage of your cancer.
Your urologist creates a personalized treatment plan to fight kidney cancer. For example, if you have an elevated risk of the disease, your doctor might recommend active surveillance. However, if your condition is more advanced, your urologist might suggest a procedure to remove the abnormal cells, such as cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation.
In severe cases, your urologist can perform surgery to remove the tumor or the entire affected kidney. They offer traditional open surgeries as well as minimally invasive and robotic procedures.
Our urologist team operates out of many locations and a surgical center to serve the needs of all Northern Georgia residents.
