Kidney Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment & More

Kidney cancer develops when cells in the kidney change and grow out of control. This was a dreadful disease in the past because people got to know about it at the very last stage. Now thanks to advancements in medical technology, cancer can be detected in the initial stage. The diagnosis can be made timely if one keeps cautious of the symptoms. An ultrasound and other imaging studies done for unrelated problems can help identify cancer.

This article by Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist known for providing the best kidney cancer treatment in Delhi, has provided important information regarding kidney cancer symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. For more information, keep reading.

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?

Following are the symptoms of Kidney Cancer:

• Pain in the flank
• Blood in pee
• Tiredness
• A general sense of feeling not well
• Loss of appetite
• A lump or mass in the kidney area
• Weight loss
• Low-grade fever
• Bone pain
• High blood pressure
• Anemia
• High calcium

What are the Causes of Kidney Cancer?

There is no exact cause of kidney cancer, but some factors that may increase the risk. These include:

• Smoking: People who smoke are at a higher risk of getting kidney cancer.
• Obesity: Obesity is the risk factor for kidney cancer. The overweight person is always at higher risk.
• High Blood Pressure: This is also known as hypertension. High blood pressure has been linked to an increase in the risk of kidney cancer.
• Family History: Sometimes genetics or a kidney cancer history in the family can also be a cause of kidney cancer.
• Radiation Therapy: The person who has been treated with radiation for cancer may have a slightly increased risk of kidney cancer.
• Gene Changes: Genes contain instructions for the cell’s function. If it changes, it can increase the risk of developing kidney cancer.
• Long-term Dialysis Treatment: Dialysis is the process of cleaning blood with a special machine. It’s used when the kidneys are not working properly.
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: It is a disease that causes seizures and intellectual disabilities, and the formation of tumors in different organs.
• Von Hippel-Lindau Disease: This disorder causes noncancerous tumors in the blood vessels, typically in the eyes and brain. People with this disorder are usually at a higher risk of kidney cancer.

How Kidney Cancer is Treated?

At Delhi Urology Hospital, Dr. Niren Rao provides several treatments for kidney cancer which makes him widely known for providing the best kidney cancer treatment in Delhi. The following are the treatment options available:

• Radical Nephrectomy: This surgery is done to remove the tumor. The entire kidney and surrounding tissues are removed in this surgery, which is called a “radical” (complete) nephrectomy. If surrounding tissue gets affected, then radical nephrectomy and lymph node dissection is performed by the surgeon. In this process, the lymph nodes that are affected by the cancer are removed. If cancer has spread to the adrenal gland or nearby blood vessels, that is also removed during the surgery. This treatment is usually recommended to treat large tumors, and not much healthy tissue remains.
• Partial Nephrectomy: This type of surgery preserves kidney function and lowers the risk of any kidney disease. This treatment is effective for T1-type tumors whenever the surgery is possible. The smaller surgical incision is made, and it has fewer side effects and faster recovery.
• Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery: During this surgery, several small cuts are made on the abdomen by using the traditional surgical procedure. Then the surgeon inserts telescoping equipment into the small incision and removes the kidney or performs a partial nephrectomy. It can be carried out as an open procedure, laparoscopically, or with robotic support. This surgery may take a long-time but is less painful. Potential risks and benefits should be discussed before going for treatment.
• Metastasectomy: Generally, this surgery is recommended for those people who have a single site of kidney cancer. This surgery is usually recommended for a single site of disease removed from the lung, pancreas, and liver with the goal of curing cancer.
• Immunotherapy: This therapy is to improve the immune system to fight cancer. Use certain medicine to boost immunity.

What are the Stages of Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is determined in four stages:

• Stage I: The tumor is 7 cm or smaller than that and does not spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
• Stage II: The tumor is bigger than 7 cm and has not spread to any organ.
• Stage III: The tumor is spread to the blood vessels near the lymph node.
• Stage IV: The tumor has spread outside the kidney to the adrenal gland, lymph node, and other organs.

How is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?

If one finds any above-mentioned symptoms, visit the urologist doctor. They recommend a certain test that can help to understand the disease. These tests may include the following:

1. Urinalysis: A sample of urine is tested to see if it contains any blood.
2. Blood Tests: Blood tests have been done to count the blood cells and look at the different electrolytes in the body.
3. CT Scan: This is a special type of X-Ray to see the difference in both kidney functions.
4. MRI: MRI is also done to diagnose the disease.
5. Ultrasound: This test also helps to diagnose cancer and any other health issue.
6. Renal Mass Biopsy: In this small test needle is inserted into the tumor, and a small sample of tissue is taken. Then the pathologist checks the sample with the help of a microscope to see the cancer tissues.

Is Kidney Cancer Curable?

Yes, it is if it is found in the early stage. Kidney cancer is curable if it is detected before it breaks through the outer covering of the kidney.

Whom to Consult for Kidney Cancer?

One can consult with a urologist, uro-oncologist, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist.

If one wants to learn more about kidney cancer treatment one must visit Delhi Urology Hospital. The best urologist in Delhi, Dr. Niren Rao, can provide knowledgeable guidance. In his roles as an andrologist and urologist, he has almost two decades of experience. To solve these potentially fatal issues, medical advice is absolutely necessary.