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Kidney Tumor Treatment and Diagnosis

Kidney Tumor Treatment and Diagnosis

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:

Kidney Cancer - Grading and Staging

Grading

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.

Staging

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.

TNM 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).

Tumor Growth


Lymph Node Involvement

N0 Kidney Cancer

The disease has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.


N1 Kidney Cancer

The disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes.


Distant Organs Involvement

M0 Kidney Cancer

The disease has not spread to distant parts of the body.


M1 Kidney Cancer

The disease has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the brain, lungs, and bones.

Number System

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.

Kidney Cancer (Renal Cancer) Treatment

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 Treatments


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.


Treatment to Freeze Cancer Cells or Cryoablation


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.


Treatment to Heat Cancer Cells or Radiofrequency Ablation

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.



Treatment for Advanced and Recurrent Kidney Cancer


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.




Combining Anti-Angiogenesis Inhibitors and Immunotherapy


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

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.

Coping and Support for Kidney Cancer 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:



Why Choose HCG for Kidney Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment?


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is possible to treat kidney cancer successfully, and early detection and timely treatment play an important role. Also, the clinical outcomes are determined by various other factors, such as the type of kidney cancer, its stage and grade, and the patient’s age and overall health status.

For kidney cancers to be detected early, patients need to be mindful of the symptoms of kidney cancer and diligently see a doctor when any kidney-related symptoms last for more than two weeks.

The success rate of kidney cancer or kidney tumor treatment depends on multiple factors, including the type of kidney cancer, the stage at which the disease was diagnosed, the tumor grade, the overall health of the patient, and the treatment plan devised.

Kidney cancer treatment success rates are excellent if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages. As the disease progresses, the success rates decline.

There are multiple tests available for the detection and diagnosis of kidney cancer. Doctors commonly recommend blood tests, urinalysis, imaging tests, and a biopsy. In cases of advanced kidney cancer, a bone scan may also be recommended to check if the cancer has spread to the bones.

A blood test may be recommended for the diagnosis of kidney cancer. This test is used to look for certain tumor markers and kidney function-related anomalies. However, it is not used for a conclusive diagnosis, and along with it, many other tests may be recommended

Regular medical check-ups, imaging tests, and awareness of potential signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, such as blood in the urine, persistent pain, or a lump in the abdomen, can aid in early detection.

Once diagnosed with kidney cancer, patients often wonder what is the treatment for kidney cancer. Doctors consider multiple factors before devising the best treatment for renal cell cancer. Depending on the type, stage, and grade of kidney cancer, renal cancer treatment may include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, alone or in combination.

Stage 4 kidney cancer is challenging to treat successfully, the disease would have spread to different parts of the body. Nonetheless, today, we have advanced treatment approaches that are helping to delay the progression of the disease and prolong survival.

The final stage of kidney cancer implies that the disease has spread to nearby and distant organs in the body, and its treatment could be challenging. Final-stage kidney cancers also have poor survival rates.

Yes, kidney cancer is treatable if it is caught early. In the early stages, the disease is localized or confined to one organ, which makes it easy to treat. As the disease progresses, it starts spreading, which makes it difficult to manage.

Regular health check-ups and not ignoring any kidney-related symptoms can help in the early detection of kidney cancer.

Yes. It is possible to live a normal life with one kidney. When one kidney is removed due to cancer, the second kidney undergoes compensatory growth and will be able to meet the filtration requirements of the body.

That said, those with one kidney need to be careful about their food habits and drink enough water. After the kidney is removed, patients and caregivers will be provided with guidelines on how to take good care of the remaining kidney.