Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

In India, the estimated incidence of kidney cancer is around 2/100,000 people (males) and approximately 1/100,000 people (females). Kidney cancer treatment options vary depending on the severity of cancer present, the size, and location of the tumour. Dr. Santosh S. Waigankar – Consultant, Urologic Oncology & Robotic Surgery shares some of the common myths and facts concerning kidney cancers and their various aspects:

Myth: Kidney cancer primarily affects young people.
Fact: Not entirely a myth. Some cancers do disproportionally affect younger people, but, kidney cancer is not one of them. The average age of diagnosis being 64. Thought present Indian study suggests more prevalence in the younger population with one-third being less than 50years of age. Having said that changing lifestyle and food habits, more executive health check-ups lead to diagnosis of kidney cancers at an early stage and in younger generations. Familial cancers are a rare entity where early age could be affected.

Myth: Kidney cancer is rare.
Fact: Kidney cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in both men and women. Early cancers are picked up by the increase in the health check-ups done annually.

Myth: Smoking does not contribute to Kidney cancer.
Fact: In fact – smoking doubles the risk of developing kidney cancer – and is believed to cause about 30% of kidney cancers in men and about 25% in women.

Myth: Women are at higher risk of developing kidney cancer.
Fact: Kidney cancer is about twice as common in men as in women. Why? Increased smoking and exposure to cancer-causing toxins at the workplace may account for much of the difference.

Myth: Blood in the urine is a sure indication of kidney cancer.
Fact: Blood-coloured or burgundy urine can be a symptom of kidney cancer – but it can also be a sign of noncancerous conditions like a urinary tract infection (UTI). The underlying message is that it should not be overlooked or neglected. However, while red-coloured urine should never be ignored simultaneously, do not think it means cancer always.

Myth: Your kidneys are fine if you have no obvious discomfort like difficulty urinating.
Fact: Lack of external symptoms does not mean that a person does not have kidney disease. Why? Because kidney conditions typically do not present any symptoms until they have progressed to an advanced stage. If you do have symptoms – be sure to consult a doctor or healthcare provider.

Myth: Kidney cancers are not curable
Fact: With the available diagnostic modalities, kidney cancer can be picked up at an early stage, and kidney-sparing surgeries can be offered. This can help a patient avoid losing his kidney and have a near-normal life with regular follow-up.

Myth: Kidney cancer amounts to the removal of the entire kidney always.
Fact: No. With a better understanding of the disease process and newer technology, entire kidney need not be removed. Only the tumour is removed, and the kidney remains in the body. This is called kidney-sparing surgery.

Myth: Kidney cancer can’t be diagnosed early.
Fact: With increasing health awareness and people resorting to annual check-ups, kidney cancers can be picked by even routine ultrasound and urine tests. Early diagnosis leads to earlier treatment and prolonged life for the patient. Everyone needs to vigilant.

Myth: Kidney cancers are not hereditary.
Fact: Meagre percentage of kidney cancers can be familial (2-3%). Patients with a family history of kidney cancers should be vigilant and seek advice from their physician.

Myth: Robotic surgery in kidney cancer has no advantages.
Fact: Robotic platform provides increased magnification and dexterity to a surgeon in performing kidney surgeries, especially kidney-sparing surgeries. The 10x magnification improves accuracy & precision of surgery, amounting to lesser blood loss, early return to routine work/job, and better cancer outcomes for the patients in the long term.

Myth: Robotic surgery is costly as compared to laparoscopic or open surgery.
Fact: The IRDAI, India’s insurance regulatory authority, has approved the inclusion of robotic surgery in insurance coverage. Maximum people can take advantage of this technology which is already established in the world around. Moreover, when we compare surgery costs, we do not consider the costs that the patient faces for being hospitalized for a long time after an open surgery or the costs due to late return to the job, which we call disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Myth: Kidney cancer patients should refrain from taking the flu vaccine.
Fact: Patients with kidney cancer should receive the influenza vaccine, whichever is recommended as per their national guidelines. Many of our patients with kidney cancer are receiving targeted treatments or immunotherapies and they tolerate the influenza vaccine well without having any complications. But, as always, they should follow the advice of their treating physician.

Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Avail of world-class technology and surgical expertise in treating even the most complex cases of kidney cancer at our Centre for Cancer. Since kidney cancer needs a multidisciplinary team approach, we have a tumour board made up of uro-oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, oncopathologists, and radiologists who make decisions based on international guidelines. The uro-oncology service of the Centre for Cancer has performed over 250 kidney cancer surgeries in the past and now is also equipped with the Da Vinci Robotic System. For further information please visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com

About the Author:
Dr. Santosh S. Waigankar is a Consultant, Urologic Oncology & Robotic Surgery at Kokilaben Hospital specializing in Open/Laparoscopic and Robotic Urooncological Surgeries. He is board certified in Genitourinary Surgery and is the 1st Vattikuti Fellow in Robotic Urooncology in India. Find out more by visiting: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/professionals/santoshwaigankar.html

Kidneys are incredible organs that keep you safe by filtering chemicals, waste products, and excess water from your body. India sees over 100,000 patients diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) every year. Also called kidney failure, patients with this condition require dialysis or a transplant to survive and perform regular functions of the body. The most common causes of kidney disease in India in both men and women are diabetes and hypertension. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are essential for maintaining good kidney health. Be proactive about your kidney health, lead a healthy life and be regular with your health checkups.

Your kidneys are fist-sized organs located at the bottom of your rib cage, on both sides of your spine. They serve a variety of purposes apart from filtering waste and making urine. Your kidneys also regulate the pH, salt, and potassium levels in your body and regulate various hormones. They are also responsible for activating a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb calcium for building bones and regulating muscle function.

Common Kidney Diseases

In India one in ten people have some form of chronic kidney disease. This disorder, where the kidney suffers irreversible damage, has become closely linked with lifestyle-related disorders. Diabetes and hypertension are responsible for more than 60 percent of cases of chronic kidney disease. Here is the list of some common kidney ailments:

• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney stones
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Urinary tract infection
• Inherited / congenital diseases

Kidney disease starts silently and progresses slowly over a number of years. Chronic Kidney Disease is divided into 5 stages depending on the degree of the residual renal function. The outcomes and complications worsen as one progresses from stage 1 to stage 5. Timely treatment helps prevent further damage to the kidneys and slows or halts the progression of the disease.

Signs of Kidney Disease

Maintaining kidney health is important to your overall health and general well-being. Here are some symptoms of a kidney disease that need further investigation:

• Feeling tired, having trouble concentrating
• Dry and itchy skin
• Frequent urination
• Having trouble sleeping
• Seeing blood in urine
• Foamy urine
• Puffy eyes and swollen ankles and feet
• Poor appetite
• Muscles cramps

Risk of kidney disease

Knowing if you are at risk for kidney disease is the first step to a healthier life. Find out if you are at risk and work with your doctor to take preventive action. Some of them include:

• Diabetes or Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Family history of kidney failure, diabetes, or high blood pressure
• Obesity
• Age 60 or older
• Low birth weight
• Prolonged use of certain painkillers
• Certain autoimmune disorders
• Chronic urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones

How to keep your kidneys healthy?

Undiagnosed and undetected kidney disease may cause health complications like high blood pressure, anaemia, weak bones, poor nutritional health, and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. Follow these simple health tips every day to keep your kidneys healthy:

1. Stay active

2. Control your blood sugar

3. Monitor blood pressure

4. Monitor your weight

5. Drink plenty of fluids

6. Don’t smoke

7. Eat a healthy diet

8. Have your kidney function tested if you’re at high risk

9. Use herbal supplements with caution

10. Don’t overdo over the counter medicines

Kidney disease treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Specialists at our Department of Nephrology offer comprehensive services to diagnose and treat various kidney disorders. We have Mumbai’s largest dialysis unit, which is equipped with 42 machines and the most advanced technology to support all types of dialysis. We understand the nuances of kidney disease and our Department of Nephrology is equipped to handle critical cases too. Early detection and appropriate treatment are important in slowing the disease process, with the goal of preventing or delaying kidney failure. Our Centre for Transplant has a dedicated kidney team that uses cutting-edge procedures and is backed by a team of highly trained nurses who provide compassionate post-transplant care. The team has successfully performed over 130 kidney transplants in the past. For more information please visit: www.kokilabenhospital.com