Kidney Cancer Specialist
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Kyle K. Himsl, MD
Urology & Urologic Oncology located in Greater Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, CA
If you’re experiencing sudden pain in your back, weight loss, and occasional blood in your urine, these might be symptoms of kidney cancer. Though relatively uncommon in those under the age of 45, it remains among the top 10 most common cancers for men and women. Since the symptoms of kidney cancer are similar to other less severe conditions, such as kidney stones, you should pay a visit to Dr. Kyle K. Himsl right away if you’re experiencing similar symptoms. If you’re in the Greater Los Angeles area and are worried about the possibility of kidney cancer, call Dr. Himsl at his practice in Thousand Oaks, California or request your appointment online.
Kidney Cancer Q & A
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer rarely exhibits symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms that emerge as the disease progresses can include:
- Recurrent pain in your back or side
- Blood in your urine
- Weight loss despite lack of dietary change
- Loss of appetite
- Fever or nausea
Who is at risk of kidney cancer?
Renal cell cancer, the most common form of kidney cancer, has no single cause, though a variety of factors can put you at greater risk for the disease:
Age
Kidney cancer is more prevalent in older individuals.
Smoking
Regular smoking increases your risk of kidney cancer, though this higher risk seems to fall once you’ve stopped smoking.
Obesity and high blood pressure
Both of these conditions increase overall risk for the disease versus those who are of average weight or normal blood pressure.
Family history and inherited syndromes
A family history of kidney cancer puts you at much greater risk of the disease. This danger is increased if you’ve inherited a condition that also contributes to the disease, such as tuberous sclerosis complex or Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.
Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
Exposure to chemicals such as cadmium, lead, and those found in pesticides can increase your odds of kidney cancer.
How is kidney cancer treated?
Depending on a few factors such as the stage of the cancer, your age, and overall health, Dr. Himsl provides different treatment options. Treatment typically falls into two categories:
Surgical treatment
Most types of kidney cancer will require surgical treatment to either remove the tumor from the kidney, called a partial nephrectomy, or remove the entire kidney, known as a radical nephrectomy. In either case, Dr. Himsl will use the robotic da Vinci® Surgical System to allow for a minimally invasive procedure.
Nonsurgical treatment
If your cancer has spread beyond the kidney, Dr. Himsl provides additional treatment options to control the spread of the disease. Following surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, Dr. Himsl may prescribe radiation therapy or medications such as biological therapy and targeted therapy, to kill cancer cells that have spread throughout the body.
If you’re in the Greater Los Angeles area and are suffering from symptoms you think might stem from kidney cancer, call Dr. Himsl to schedule a consultation or request your appointment online.
