Screening for Kidney Cancer

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Screening for Kidney Cancer

Screening is a way to evaluate people without symptoms to determine if they are at risk for cancer or have already developed cancer.

Screening involves:

Assessment of your medical history and lifestyle habits that may increase your risk of kidney cancer
Tests to identify early signs of kidney cancer

Screening Guidelines

Screening is recommended only for people with certain risk factors, such as ]]>Von Hippel-Lindau disease]]> or those receiving ]]>dialysis]]> .

Screening Tests

]]>CT scan]]> —This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the inside of the body.

]]>MRI scan]]> —This test uses magnetic waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Using a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer, an MRI produces 2D and 3D pictures.

References:

American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0 .

Kidney Cancer Association website. Available at: http://www.kidneycancerassociation.org/ .

National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .

Last reviewed November 2008 by ]]>Mohei Abouzied, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.