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The term kidney mass is obviously quite vague, as the word “mass” is simply defined as a “quantity of matter.” This vague term is appropriately used prior to a kidney cancer procedure being performed, as kidney cancer is a diagnosis that can only be made after a pathologist examines a part of the cancerous tissue itself. Usually, kidney cancer is discovered incidentally when some type of radiographic evaluation such as a sonogram, CT scan or MRI has been performed. Less common symptoms of kidney cancer (see Signs and Symptoms section) may initiate the radiographic evaluation. In either case, the radiographic tests can only describe a solid entity in the kidney. With current radiographic technology, the exact nature of the disease cannot be established without examination of the tissue itself. Prior to this tissue diagnosis, the renal mass may be one of the types of kidney cancer or a non-malignant growth. For smaller kidney masses (those less than 4 cm or about 13⁄4 inches) up to 20% or 30% of these masses may be a non-malignant growth. These masses are usually classified as oncocytomas, angiomyolipomas, complex cyst or a number of other less common growth types. Larger kidney masses (greater than 7cm or about 3 1⁄2 inches) are more commonly a type of kidney cancer. Indeed, over 90% of these growths are malignant in nature. Another commonly used word regarding kidney masses is “neoplasm.” Literally translated, the word neoplasm is a new growth. Neoplasms are divided into malignant growths (also known as cancer), which have the ability to grow and spread around the body (metastasize). Non-malignant or benign neoplasms are tissue masses that grow but are not capable of spreading around the body (metastasis). It is important to note that a benign neoplasm of the kidney can grow and cause problems such as bleeding even though it does not spread by metastasis.
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Copyright 2006 Kidney Cancer Institute |
Complementary Management Strategies | Biotechnology That is Used to Cure Kidney Cancer
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