Kidney cancer is best treated when it is diagnosed in its early stages. Early detection plays a pivotal role in preventing kidney cancer from progressing to advanced stages. Today, we have highly advanced diagnostic protocols available for kidney cancer diagnosis, which help specialists precisely diagnose this condition and come up with the best renal cancer treatment plan.
The following are the different diagnostic tests recommended for kidney cancer:
The tumor grade is decided based on how tumor cells look under the microscope. In some cases, the tumor cells look very similar to normal cells, and in other cases, they look very different from normal cells. Based on this factor, kidney cancers are graded from grade 1 to grade 4, as per the Fuhrman system.
Depending on the extent to which the disease has spread, the staging of kidney cancer is done. The commonly used staging systems are the TNM system and the number system.
In this system, kidney cancer is staged based on how large the tumor is (T), its spread to nodes (N), and its spread (metastasis) to distant organs (M).
The disease has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The disease has not spread to distant parts of the body.
The disease has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the brain, lungs, and bones.
In this system, the staging of kidney cancer from stage 1 to stage 4 is done based on the extent of the disease. Stage 1 kidney cancers are smaller in size and are localized to the organ, whereas stage 4 kidney cancers refer to advanced cancers that have spread to distant organs.
Before administering kidney tumor treatment, the doctors consider a myriad of factors, namely the type of kidney cancer, the stage and grade of kidney cancer, its exact location, and the age and overall health status of the patient. After thoroughly assessing these factors, doctors devise a personalized treatment plan that may include one or more of the following:
Non-surgical treatment of kidney cancer largely involves treating kidney cancers with the help of cold and heat. These treatments are largely recommended for those who are not fit enough to undergo surgery, older patients, and patients with underlying heart diseases.
Cryoablation is largely recommended for early-stage kidney cancer, and it involves using cold temperatures to destroy kidney cancer cells. During the procedure, cold gas is injected into the tumor through a thin needle. This is usually a laparoscopic procedure that is done using tiny incisions. The rapid freezing and thawing of the cancer cells deprive them of blood, oxygen, and other nutrients and thereby cause their death. The needles are guided using CT or ultrasound scans.
This procedure destroys kidney cancer cells using heat. During the procedure, multiple needles are inserted into the tumor to induce heat through electric current or radiowaves. The heat generated will destroy the cancer cells. The needles for radiofrequency ablation are guided with the help of CT or ultrasound scans.
Advanced kidney cancers will often demand a multimodal approach for their efficient management. The treatment plan for advanced kidney cancer often includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. These treatments help delay disease progression and prolong survival.
Recurrent kidney cancer, on the other hand, will also need multimodal treatment. Recurrent cancers are treated with extra attention. Recurrent kidney cancer treatment involves surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. Adhering to stringent follow-up protocols can help reduce the risk of cancer recurrences or catch them in their early stages.
This is a promising kidney tumor treatment approach that combines anti-angiogenesis inhibitors, which block angiogenesis, with immunotherapy to boost the body’s immune system to launch an attack against cancer cells.
Alternative medicine plays a pivotal role in kidney tumor or kidney cancer management. Unlike main treatments, alternative medicine does not treat the disease, instead, it focuses on reducing the pain and discomfort caused by the disease and improving the quality of life for patients.
Along with their main treatment, cancer patients will need care and support. They need to have a strong support system that is going to help them stay strong and motivated. The following are some healthy coping strategies for those dealing with kidney cancer:
HCG is the leading kidney cancer treatment hospital in India. The uro-oncologists at HCG specialize in providing superior diagnostic and treatment support to patients dealing with kidney malignancies. By making the care approach more personalized and patient-centric, HCG strives to ensure that every patient that walks in receives the best renal cancer treatment.