Caris Levert Kidney Cancer Analysis

Caris Levert Kidney Cancer Analysis

Caris Levert recently had successful surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his kidney. In this article we will take a closer look at this type of cancer and his long term health risks as well as the possibility of recurrence.

After being sent to the Pacers in the blockbuster James Harden four team trade a mass on was discovered on Levert's left kidney during a physical evaluation. 

What is  A Kidney?
A kidney is a bean shaped organ that filters toxins from the blood and regulates certain hormone levels including blood pressure stabilization. Most people have two kidneys. 

First off what is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer begins when healthy cells in one or both kidneys change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a renal cortical tumor. A tumor can be malignant, indolent, or benign. A malignant tumor is cancerous, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. An indolent tumor is also cancerous, but this type of tumor rarely spreads to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.

There are several types of kidney cancer 

• Renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of adult kidney cancer, making up about eighty five percent of diagnoses. This type of cancer develops in the proximal renal tubules that make up the kidney’s filtration system. There are thousands of these tiny filtration units in each kidney. 
  
• Urothelial carcinoma. This is also called transitional cell carcinoma. It accounts for five to ten percent of the kidney cancers diagnosed in adults. Urothelial carcinoma begins in the area of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the bladder, called the renal pelvis. This type of kidney cancer is treated like bladder cancer because both types of cancer begin in the same cells that line the renal pelvis and bladder.
  
• Sarcoma. Sarcoma of the kidney is rare. This type of cancer develops in the soft tissue of the kidney; the thin layer of connective tissue surrounding the kidney, called the capsule; or surrounding fat. Sarcoma of the kidney is usually treated with surgery. However, sarcoma commonly comes back in the kidney area or spreads to other parts of the body. More surgery or chemotherapy may be recommended after the first surgery.
  
• Wilms tumor. Wilms tumor is most common in children and is treated differently from kidney cancer in adults. Wilms tumors make up about one percent of kidney cancers. This type of tumor is more likely to be successfully treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy than the other types of kidney cancer when combined with surgery. This has resulted in a different approach to treatment.
  
  Fortunately for Levert his form of Kidney cancer renal cell carcinoma was a very non aggressive type with a low recurrence rate so he will likely be fine and cancer free.