Overview
Kidney cancer is a medical condition, wherein there is abnormal growth in the cells of the kidney due to some undesirable DNA mutations. People older than 40 years are more likely to get this cancer. Kidney cancer is a relatively less common type of cancer.
Types of Kidney Cancer
- Renal Cell Carcinoma: The most common type of kidney cancer among adults, and it accounts for around 85% of kidney cancer cases. This type of cancer generally starts with a single-cell tumor but can affect both kidneys.
- Transitional Cell Cancer: This type of cancer accounts for around 6-7% of all kidney cancer cases. This cancer starts at the junction of the ureter and kidney. This area of the intersection is known as the renal pelvis.
- Renal Sarcoma: This cancer type accounts for only 1% of total cases of kidney cancer. It is the least common type of cancer.
- Wilms Cancer: Wilms cancer is the most common type of cancer among children. It is also known as nephroblastoma and affects children between 3 and 4 years old. It is significantly less common after the age of 5 years.
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Some of the symptoms of kidney cancer are:
If an individual has had any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, they should immediately consult a doctor. HCG Manavata Cancer Center, which is one of the top kidney cancer hospitals in Nashik, Maharashtra, strives to deliver the best care for kidney cancer patients and help them return to the best state of health possible.
Causes of Kidney Cancer
The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known. However, the following factors increase the risk of kidney cancer:
- Smoking
- Increased weight
- Family history of the kidney tumor
- Increased blood pressure
- Mutation in genes
- Being on dialysis for a long period
- Radiation therapy
- Presence of Von Hippel-Lindau disease
Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is diagnosed through the following tests:
- Urine test: The presence of blood and other abnormalities are detected in the urine sample.
- Blood test: This is done to check the functionality of the kidney.
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): In this test, the doctor injects a dye into the patient that will travel to the urinary tract. Then an X-ray of the kidney is taken.
- Imaging Tests: The doctor will recommend imaging tests, such as ultrasound, MRI scan, and CT scan, to obtain detailed information about the tumor. This information helps doctors with disease staging, treatment planning, and treatment monitoring.
Treatment for Kidney Cancer
At HCG Manavata Cancer Center, we have some of the best kidney cancer treatment doctors in Nashik, who are trained to deliver the best cancer treatment for kidney cancer. Our specialists use the following treatment approaches for kidney cancers:
Surgery
- Complete Nephrectomy: During this surgery, the whole kidney and some nearby healthy tissues are removed. Nearby tissues are removed to avoid the spread of the cancerous cells.
- Partial nephrectomy: This is also known as kidney sparing surgery. During this surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer-affected part of the kidney and some of the surrounding healthy tissues.
Non-surgical Treatment
- Cryo-ablation: During this procedure, a hollow needle is inserted into the kidney. The needle is guided by either ultrasound or any other imaging method. Then a cold gas is injected into the cells, and the cells get frozen.
- Radiofrequency ablation: In this treatment approach, a probe is inserted into the person’s kidney. Then an electric current is passed through this probe. As a result, the affected cells receive an excessive amount of heat and burn.
Treatments for Recurring Cancers
- Targeted therapy: It targets a specific abnormality of the cell. The targeted drugs block that abnormality in the cell and eventually result in cell death.
- Immunotherapy: In this approach, immune modulator drugs are given to the person to stimulate the immune system to attack the cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: High-power energy beams like x-rays and protons are used to kill cancer-affected cells. In some cases, it is also used to reduce the symptoms of kidney cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which treatment should I choose for kidney cancer?
The choice of treatment made by the doctor is based on the stage and type of the kidney cancer. If kidney cancer is diagnosed in its initial stages, surgery may be recommended, and other treatments may be recommended for later stages.
2. Is there any cure available for kidney cancer?
With technological advancements, kidney cancer is now diagnosable in its early stages. And the survival rate for initially diagnosed kidney cancer is relatively higher. Most patients can live a healthy life after the treatment.
3. How much is the survival rate for kidney cancer?
For those kidney cancers that are diagnosed at an early stage, the survival rates are excellent. As the stage advances, it becomes challenging for the specialists to treat the condition successfully.
4. How can I decrease my risk of developing kidney cancer?
The most important risk factor for kidney cancer is found to be cigarette smoking. According to experts, around 25 to 30 % of the cells mutate into cancerous cells due to smoking. Therefore, the best way to prevent kidney cancer is to quit smoking. You may also reduce the risk of kidney cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight.
