[image url="http://www.bzanet.com/client_area/american_cancer_fund/build/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cancertypes.jpg" title="Cancer Types" raw="true" alignment="center" margin_left="0" margin_right="0" margin_top="0" margin_bottom="20" border="smallBorder" width="640" height="229"]

<strong>Kidney Cancer</strong> is a Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes <strong>renal cell carcinoma</strong> (a cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and <strong>renal pelvis carcinoma</strong> (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.

<strong>Cancer </strong>is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

<strong>Cancer</strong> is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start – for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in basal cells of the skin is called basal cell carcinoma.
<h2>Living with Cancer</h2>
When considering treatment options, so many questions need to be answered. Finding the answers you need can be confusing and time consuming. Now that you have found our website, use our resources to empower and educate yourself. We are here to help you, every step of the way.
<ul>
	<li>Learn more about a diagnosis</li>
	<li>Understand treatment options</li>
	<li>Communicate more effectively with your doctor</li>
	<li>Know what to expect during treatment</li>
	<li>Dealing with the Insurance Company</li>
	<li>Recovery</li>
</ul>
<h2>Newly Diagnosed?</h2>
Vital to helping you understand your condition and manage your care is keeping track of important phone numbers, treatment history, side effects, and laboratory results, such as your complete blood count (CBC). Use these tools to help organize this information so you can be an active participant in your cancer care. Keep them handy for use at home and bring them along to your doctor visits and other medical appointments.
<ol>
	<li>Important Contacts</li>
	<li>Health and treatment history</li>
	<li>Copies of reports – Blood tests, Pathology reports, etc</li>
	<li>Calendar</li>
	<li>Progress</li>
	<li>Question</li>
	<li>Insurance</li>
</ol>
<h2>Reliable Resources</h2>
<a href="http://www.kidneycancer.org/" target="_blank">Kidney Cancer Association</a>

This website is a reliable information source for patients, family and caregivers to start their education process. They have a free downloadable booklet called “<a href="http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/KidneyCancer/">We Have Kidney Cancer</a>” that was written by the world’s leading experts in the treatment of kidney cancer. Their page “About Kidney Cancer” is comprehensive.

They also have a list of Kidney Cancer Symptoms:
<table border="3" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Symptom</td>
<td>Patients</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blood in the urine</td>
<td>59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Abdominal mass</td>
<td>45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Back or flank pain</td>
<td>41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight loss</td>
<td>28%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Low blood counts (anemia)</td>
<td>21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tumor calcification on x-ray</td>
<td>13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Symptoms of metastases</td>
<td>10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fever</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>High calcium in blood</td>
<td>7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>High blood counts</td>
<td>7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute</a> (NCI)

This is the US governments offical site for Cancer information; a service of the National Cancer Institute. It is a reliable and comprehensive site. It is moderately easy to navigate this and we recommend starting <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/renalcell/patient">here</a>. They also have a downloadable booklet called “<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/kidney">What you need to know about kidney cancer</a>” publication # P023. Since it is not that easy to find we created a direct link for you. You will need to scroll past the index to start reading the entire booklet. This site also has Cancer statistics and information about clinical trials.

<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/renalcell/Patient">Renal Cell Carcinoma </a>at NCI

<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/transitionalcell/Patient">Renal Pelvis Carcinoma</a> at NCI