What Foods Should Kidney Cancer Patients Avoid?

Kidneys are the organs in the body that should help individuals filter substances, such as their blood, in their body. However, many conditions can affect an individual's kidney health, including kidney cancer. This can be any cancer that begins in the kidneys. For adults, it seems as if the most common type is renal cell carcinoma. Children appear to be affected by Wilms' tumor the most when it comes to kidney cancer. Thankfully, individuals with kidney cancer seem to be diagnosed fairly early.

Many patients may start with surgery to remove the tumor. Of course, complete kidney removal may be a necessary part of kidney cancer treatment as well. Other options appear to be immunotherapy for kidney cancer and radiation therapy for advanced cases. Some patients may receive treatment to freeze or heat cancer cells to destroy them. They may also need a kidney cancer diet to boost their overall health.

Fast Food

Individuals with kidney cancer may need to avoid eating fast food. Fast foods seem to range in quality, including that some types can be more unhealthy than others. Fast food can have nutrients in it that are beneficial. However, it may also be quite dense in calories. It also appears as if fast food is fairly salt. This is likely where the problem comes from for kidney cancer patients. Salt in fast food can make it taste better, though if individuals consume too much salt, their body's fluid balance may be disrupted.

Individuals do seem to need some salt, since it contains electrolytes. Electrolytes are supposed to help individuals stay hydrated. However, too many electrolytes seem to have damaging effects, just like too few. Specifically, it appears that eating too much salt will often cause an individual's blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure can compromise the kidneys further and at a faster rate. Kidney cancer patients are likely already at a disadvantage with their kidney function, so this will not help them. Thus, they may want to consider avoiding all extra salt, especially what comes from fast food.

Discover more foods that kidney cancer patients may need to avoid now.