Where Does Kidney Cancer Usually Spread To?

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  1. Persistent coughing that doesn’t go away. And it may also come up with blood.
  2. Unintended weight loss.
  3. Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).
  4. Ongoing infections in the chest.

The secondary cancer that spread from the primary kidney cancer may also cause a condition called pleural infection, a buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall.

The treatment plan is dependent on the primary cancer since the secondary (metastatic) cancer is derived from the same type of cells as the primary cancer. The following factors also can affect which type of treatment you need:

  1. Your general health.
  2. The previous treatments you have already had.
  3. The size of the secondary tumor in the lung.
  4. The number of secondary cancer in the lungs.
  5. Whether the kidney cancer only spreads to the lung or also spread to other parts of the body.
Brain

The metastasis of kidney cancer is quite common to be found in the brain. Secondary brain cancer is also common in people with the primary cancer in the lung, breast, and bowel. Melanoma skin cancer is often to blame, too.

The cancer cells can spread far away from the primary tumor in the kidney to the distant organ such as brain through bloodstream and lymphatic system. The symptoms of secondary cancer in the brain may include:

  1. Headaches or/and confusion.
  2. Changes in personality or mood.
  3. Weakness or /and feeling unwell or sick.
  4. Changes in eyesight.
  5. And even seizures (fits).

Secondary cancer doesn’t always cause the symptoms. Sometimes it is already removed before it has the symptoms, during procedures to diagnose or treat the primary cancer.

Bones

There are a number of cancers that are likely to spread to the bones. They are the primary cancers of prostate, breast, lung, kidney and thyroid.

Secondary cancer in the bone can interfere with the balance of two main types of bone cells; specialised cells and osteoblasts.

  1. Specialised cells are responsible to break down old bone.
  2. On the other hand, osteoblasts are cells of bones that play a role to build new bone.

Both specialised cells and osteoblasts are important to keep your bones strong. The cancer can disturb this balance and destroy the bones, causing the following symptoms:

  1. Bone pain coming from the breakdown of the bone.
  2. Weaker, fragile bones (they can break easily).
  3. Backache! Even this discomfort may also worsen despite resting.
  4. Red blood deficiency, because your red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
  5. The increased level of calcium in the blood. This may be followed with discomfort symptoms such as constipation, pain in the stomach, vomiting, confusion, and dehydration.
Liver

Kidney cancer can spread to the liver, too – but this metastasis is less common if compared to the metastasis to the lungs, brain, and bones. The most common cancers that spread to the liver are the primary cancers of breast, bowel, and lung.

When part of the liver is affected by the cancer, the liver can still work well. Even it may also still work well when most of it has been affected by the cancer.

Therefore, early secondary cancer in the liver usually doesn’t cause symptoms. If the early symptoms do occur, they can be vogue. These vogue symptoms include feeling sick, poor appetite, weight loss and tiredness.

As the secondary cancer grows and become advanced, it may also cause abdominal pain (especially on the right side of the stomach) and swollen abdomen. It also can be quite painful! The pain usually occurs when the tumor is large enough to press the capsule (covering layer of the liver).

If you’re diagnosed with kidney cancer, it’s not easy to skip the anxious feeling that every new pain or new discomfort you have means the cancer has spread. Cancer metastasis can be prevented if you follow your treatment plan as well. And if you notice any new unusual symptoms, tell your doctor!

Citations /references:

  1. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/kidney-cancer/treatment/types/advanced-kidney-cancer
  2. http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/metastatic-cancer/metastatic-cancer/?region=qc

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One Comment
  1. LAURENS Zwart
    November 8, 2023 | Reply

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