All about kidney cancer treatments

All about kidney cancer treatments

What is kidney cancer?
Kidney cancer or renal cancer is a form of cancer that affects the kidney cells, leading to the formation of a tumor. Thanks to the development of imaging techniques and preventive testings it is now being detected early, enabling effective treatment.

While the cause of kidney cancer is unclear, some factors like smoking, obesity, frequent usage of painkillers, high blood pressure, exposure to chemicals, etc, can increase the chances of developing renal cancer.

Symptoms of kidney cancer
During the early stages, kidney cancer shows no symptoms. However, as it progresses, it could be severe. Some of the symptoms that can be seen later include:

  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain in the side or a lump in the side
  • Unexplained and sudden weight loss
  • Recurrent fever and fatigue
  • Swelling in the legs
  • Pain in the bones
  • Coughing blood (this occurs at later stages)

Kidney cancer is diagnosed through urine or blood tests, ultrasound scan, MRI, CT scan, or a biopsy.

Treatment for kidney cancer
The treatment for kidney cancer, like any other condition, depends on the stage of the disease. The stage is determined by the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body. Following are the different types of treatments for renal cancer.

  • Surgery
    Surgery can be helpful to remove the tumor. A part of the kidney may be surgically removed to treat the tumor (partial nephrectomy). This will not have any effect on the patient’s health. Sometimes, the entire kidney may have to be removed. In some cases, the kidney and other organs like the adrenal gland may also be removed.

If both kidneys are removed, a kidney transplant may be needed. Additionally, regular dialysis may be needed to carry out the functions of the kidney through a machine.

  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
    Chemotherapy involves the use of chemicals to destroy the tumor. It is used for a particular type of tumor. Radiation therapy uses X-rays to destroy cancer cells. This can be done for those who cannot undergo surgery.
  • Targeted therapy
    This treatment uses drugs or other substances to target the cancerous cells in the kidney. They work in different ways to prevent cancer cells from growing or block blood vessels from supplying blood to the tumor, causing it to shrink or die.
  • Immunotherapy
    This method uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Certain substances are used to activate the immune system to help fight it.
  • Cryoablation
    This makes use of cold gas to freeze the cancer cells in the kidney to destroy them.
  • Radiofrequency ablation
    This makes use of radiofrequency to freeze the heat and burn the cancer cells.

Kidney cancer can be easily treated if detected early. One should visit a doctor if they find any discomfort and start kidney cancer treatment if necessary.