There are several types of cancer. Certain kinds can affect teenagers.

In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and outlook of cancer in teens. We will explain which types of cancer teenagers might get.

Kidney cancer is also referred to as renal cancer. Kidney cancer is cancer that starts when cells grow out of control in kidney tissues.

The kidneys are organs that cleanse and filter blood by removing excess salt, water, and waste products. These byproducts become urine.

There are two kidneys on each side of the spine. One or both of the kidneys can be the starting point for cancer.

Except for certain childhood cancers, kidney cancer primarily affects older adults. The average age of onset for kidney cancer is 64. Even though it’s rare, teenagers may also receive a diagnosis of kidney cancer.

Teens may be at the high end of the age spectrum for some types of cancer. They may be at the low end of the age spectrum for cancer that affects adults.

There are many types of cancer. The kinds most likely to occur in teens are rare.

Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer. Nine out of 10 cases of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas. There are several RCC subtypes, which include:

Renal cell carcinoma is rarely diagnosed in people under age 45. While rare in teens, RCC is one of the most common types of kidney tumor found in people ages 15 to 19.

Of the various RCC subtypes, The cancer is caused by a translocation of the cells. and nonClear cell carcinoma. are the ones most likely to be diagnosed in teenagers.

Renal medullary carcinoma

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare type of kidney cancer. It primarily affects young adults and adolescents of African descent who have sickle cell Anemia. or carry the sickle cell trait.

RMC is a form of cancer. It affects more males than females.

Wilms’ tumor (nephroblastoma)

Wilms’ tumor is a rare childhood kidney cancer that typically affects very young children ages 3 to 5. Around 650 new cases of Wilms’ tumor are diagnosed annually in the United States.

This condition is rare in older populations, but it is sometimes diagnosed in adolescents, teenagers, and adults.

African American children have a higher risk for Wilms’ tumor than other ethnic groups. Certain inherited medical and genetic conditions increase risk. They include:

  • Aniridia is a type of plant.
  • Hemihyperplasia is a genetic disorder.
  • Denys-Drash syndrome is a disease.
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a genetic condition.
  • The syndrome is called Wagr syndrome.

“Your teen’s symptoms of cancer can vary depending on their type. They may include:”

“There is no single cause of teen cancer. One teen gets it and another doesn’t, but it isn’t completely understood.”

The cancer starts when the cells have a change in their genes. The way each cell behaves is changed by these mutations. When cancer occurs, the cells divide quickly and grow out of control. They may spread to other parts of the body.

In teens, carrying inherited gene mutations for certain conditions, such as sickle cell disease, may make kidney cancer more likely to occur. Even so, kidney cancer in teens is rare.

Your teen will have a medical history and physical exam to check for any symptoms. They will ask about your family history of diseases like cancer and sickle cell disease.

Diagnostic tests may be done if there is a suspicion of cancer.

Stage and spread of the cancer are what treatment for teenagers for kidney cancer is based on.

Surgical removal of the tumor is a common first-line treatment. There are two types of kidney cancer surgery:

  • Partial nephrectomy: The tumor and surrounding tissue are removed.
  • Radical nephrectomy: The entire kidney is removed along with the tumor.

A partial nephrectomy is done for early stage cancers that have not spread outside of the kidneys.

A radical nephrectomy is done when a cancer has spread outside of the kidneys to other organs. It can be used to remove larger tumors.

When there’s cancer in both kidneys, surgical removal of as much cancer as possible will be done in each kidney. In some instances, both kidneys will need to be removed. When this occurs, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.

Chemotherapy can be done before a surgery to shrink a tumor. This makes surgery more likely to be successful. Chemotherapy can be done after surgery to kill cancer cells that have spread to other areas of the body.

Other systemic treatments, such as targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy, may also be used to treat kidney cancer that has spread.

Some risk factors for cancer in the kidneys can take years to cause damage. They include:

Other risk factors may be more likely to cause cancer in younger people. They include:

  • Family history of cancer.
  • Genetics
  • African Americans, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives are at risk.

The stage and amount of spread of your teen’s cancer will help determine their potential prognosis. The type of kidney cancer they have is also an important factor.

Staying on top of follow-up appointments and treatments will help support the best possible outcome. A cure may be possible.

People with early stage cancer have high survival rates. People with cancer that has spread have good survival rates. The lowest overall survival rate can be seen with the most challenging type of cancer.

Treatments for cancer are constantly improving. A teen may want to participate in a trial.

What is the most common kidney tumor in childhood?

There are many types of childhood cancer. Congenital mesoblastic nephroma is the most common cancer in children. Babies younger than 1 year are more likely to be diagnosed with this cancer. It may be diagnosed before birth.

Is kidney cancer hereditary?

Most of the cancer in the kidneys are not passed down from parent to child. Some families have hereditary genetic changes that may increase the risk of cancer.

Rare, inherited conditions may make some families more likely to experience multiple incidents of kidney cancer among members. These conditions include von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Do kidney stones increase kidney cancer risk?

They can. Kidney stones may increase the risk for certain cancers, including renal cell carcinoma. However, not everyone who has kidney stones will go on to get kidney cancer. Kidney stones are uncommon in teens.

What is dialysis?

There is a treatment for failing kidneys. It takes the place of a healthy kidneys by removing waste products and excess fluids.

There is a rare form of cancer in teenagers. It may happen. It is possible that having genetic defects for conditions such as sickle cell disease can increase the risk of cancer.

The type and stage of cancer a teen has is what determines their progess. In many instances, survival is possible.