Ans. : The kidneys are a pair of organs on either side of the spine in the lower abdomen. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. Attached to the top of each kidney is an adrenal gland. A mass of fatty tissue and an outer layer of fibrous tissue (Gerota's fascia) enclose the kidneys and adrenal glands.

The kidneys are part of the urinary tract. They make urine by removing wastes and extra water from the blood. Urine collects in a hollow space (renal pelvis) in the middle of each kidney. It passes from the renal pelvis into the bladder through a tube called a ureter. Urine leaves the body through another tube (the urethra).

The kidneys also make substances that help control blood pressure and the production of red blood cells.

Ans. : Kidney cancer develops most often in people over 40, but no one knows the exact causes of this disease. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops kidney cancer and another does not. However, it is clear that kidney cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from another person.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop kidney cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for kidney cancer:

* Smoking: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are twice as likely as     nonsmokers to develop kidney cancer. Cigar smoking also may increase the risk of this disease.

* Obesity: People who are obese have an increased risk of kidney cancer.

* High blood pressure: High blood pressure increases the risk of kidney cancer.

* Long-term dialysis: Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys do not work well. It     removes wastes from the blood. Being on dialysis for many years is a risk factor for kidney     cancer.

* Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: VHL is a rare disease that runs in some families. It is     caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal VHL gene increases the risk of kidney cancer.     It also can cause cysts or tumors in the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Family     members of those with this syndrome can have a test to check for the abnormal VHL gene. For     people with the abnormal VHL gene, doctors may suggest ways to improve the detection of     kidney cancer and other diseases before symptoms develop.

* Occupation: Some people have a higher risk of getting kidney cancer because they come in     contact with certain chemicals or substances in their workplace. Coke oven workers in the iron     and steel industry are at risk. Workers exposed to asbestos or cadmium also may be at risk.

* Gender: Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Each year in     the United States, about 20,000 men and 12,000 women learn they have kidney cancer.

Ans. : Common symptoms of kidney cancer include:

* Blood in the urine (making the urine slightly rusty to deep red)
* Pain in the side that does not go away
* A lump or mass in the side or the abdomen
* Weight loss
* Fever
* Feeling very tired or having a general feeling of poor health

Ans. : Kidney Cancer does not normally run in families, so having one or more relatives with this type of cancer would not increase your risk. However, there are some rare inherited conditions which carry a very high risk of getting kidney and other cancers.

Ans. : There are about 190,000 newcases of kidney cancer each year around the world, which means it accounts for about one in fifty cancers. In the UK and USA it about the tenth most common type of cancer.

Ans. : The vast majority of kidney cancers are renal cell cancers. Most of the others are cancers of the renal pelvis. There are several types of renal cell cancers. Most are classed as clear cell or conventional. A smaller number fall into other types, which are called papillary, chromaphobe, collecting duct and unclassified renal cell cancers.