Author: Dr Brent Yanke Urologist West Orange New Jersey 2008-07-28
The kidneys (or renal units) are organs responsible for cleansing the blood of waste. Many byproducts of the metabolic processes in the body build up in the blood stream. A microscopic tubular system within the kidney filters the blood and removes these byproducts before they can accumulate to dangerous levels. Kidney tissue is separated into two layers, the outer cortex and the inner medulla. Once the filtered waste passes through these layers, it collects in the renal pelvis which is an open space in the core of the kidney. The urine then drains from the renal pelvis into the ureter and finally into the bladder. Surrounding the kidney are several protective layers. A thin capsule encircles the renal cortex and comprises the outer surface of the kidney. The kidney sits in a pocket of fat that is itself contained in another layer of tissue called Gerota’s fascia.
The kidneys (or renal units) are organs responsible for cleansing the blood of waste. Many byproducts of the metabolic processes in the body build up in the blood stream. A microscopic tubular system within the kidney filters the blood and removes these byproducts before they can accumulate to dangerous levels. Kidney tissue is separated into two layers, the outer cortex and the inner medulla. Once the filtered waste passes through these layers, it collects in the renal pelvis which is an open space in the core of the kidney. The urine then drains from the renal pelvis into the ureter and finally into the bladder. Surrounding the kidney are several protective layers. A thin capsule encircles the renal cortex and comprises the outer surface of the kidney. The kidney sits in a pocket of fat that is itself contained in another layer of tissue called Gerota’s fascia.
A renal tumor is an atypical growth of cells that can arise from different segments of the kidney. Benign
renal tumors are non-cancerous and rarely threatening to the patient
while a malignant renal tumor, also known as renal cancer, has a more
aggressive nature. In 2007, there were an estimated 51,190 new cases of kidney cancer and 12,890 deaths due to kidney cancer in the United States.1 This represents 2% of all diagnosed cancers.2