Kidney Cancer Treatment
A kidney cancer diagnosis can be worrying for patients and their families. Questions about treatment, recovery, future health and the right medical approach are completely natural. Having access to the right medical guidance can help you understand the condition and make informed decisions about your care.
Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells in the kidney begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. The condition may develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making timely diagnosis and medical evaluation important.
With advancements in cancer care, several kidney cancer treatment options are available, depending on the type, stage and overall health of the patient. These may include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and other personalised treatment approaches.
Dr. Abhishek Bansal provides medical oncology consultation and cancer treatment guidance to help patients understand their diagnosis and explore appropriate treatment options based on their individual needs.
What Is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the tissues of one or both kidneys. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Their primary function is to filter waste products from the blood and remove them through urine.
When kidney cells develop abnormal changes, they may begin multiplying uncontrollably and form a tumour. If these abnormal cells become cancerous, the condition is known as kidney cancer or renal cancer.
The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). In its early stages, kidney cancer may not produce noticeable symptoms. However, as the tumour grows, patients may experience blood in their urine, persistent side pain or unexplained weight loss.
Early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan can make an important difference in managing the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?
One of the challenges with kidney cancer is that it often develops silently. Many patients do not experience clear symptoms during the early stages, and the condition may sometimes be discovered during an ultrasound or CT scan performed for another medical reason.
As kidney cancer progresses, certain warning signs may appear.
Common kidney cancer symptoms include:
Blood in the Urine: Urine may appear pink, red or brown due to the presence of blood. Sometimes blood is visible only during laboratory testing.
Persistent Back or Side Pain: Ongoing discomfort or pain on one side of the lower back, particularly below the ribs.
Lump Near the Kidney Area: Some patients may develop a noticeable swelling or lump in the abdomen or side.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without changing your diet or physical activity may require medical evaluation.
Loss of Appetite: A reduced desire to eat may occur as the disease progresses.
Constant Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak despite adequate rest.
Recurrent Fever: Fever without an obvious infection may occur in some patients.
Anaemia: A reduced red blood cell count can sometimes be associated with kidney cancer.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that someone has kidney cancer. They can also be caused by other medical conditions. However, persistent or unexplained symptoms should not be ignored.
Types of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is not a single disease. It includes different types that develop from different cells within the kidney. Identifying the exact type helps doctors select the most appropriate treatment.
1. Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Renal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It develops in the cells lining the small tubes inside the kidneys. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed subtype. Other subtypes include papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.
2. Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
Papillary renal cell carcinoma is a subtype of RCC that develops in the kidney's tubular cells. Its biological behaviour and treatment considerations may differ from other types.
3. Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma
This is a less common form of renal cell carcinoma. It has distinct cellular characteristics and generally requires an individualised treatment approach.
4. Urothelial Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis
This cancer develops in the lining of the renal pelvis, the area that collects urine before it passes into the ureter. It is different from cancer originating in the kidney tissue.A proper diagnosis helps determine which treatment approach is most suitable for each patient.
5. Wilms Tumour
Wilms tumour is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. It requires specialised paediatric cancer treatment.
How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?
An accurate kidney cancer diagnosis is essential for planning appropriate treatment. Doctors may recommend different tests to identify the tumour, determine its size and location, and check whether the cancer has spread.
- Ultrasound
- CT Scan
- MRI Scan
- Blood Tests
- Urine Tests
- Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
The right kidney cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the cancer stage, tumour size, location, cancer subtype, kidney function and the patient’s overall health. The goal is to control or remove the cancer while preserving kidney function whenever possible.
Surgery for Kidney Cancer
Surgery is a common treatment for localised kidney cancer. Depending on the tumour's size and location, doctors may recommend:
Partial Nephrectomy: Removes the cancerous tumour while preserving healthy kidney tissue.
Radical Nephrectomy: Removes the entire affected kidney and, if necessary, surrounding tissues or nearby lymph nodes.
Targeted Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Targeted therapy uses specialised medicines that interfere with specific proteins and pathways involved in cancer cell growth.
These medicines may be recommended for patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
The treatment aims to slow cancer growth and help control the disease. The choice of targeted medicine depends on the cancer subtype and the patient’s medical condition
Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer
Immunotherapy is an important development in modern kidney cancer treatment.
It works by helping the body's immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Certain immunotherapy medicines, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, are used for selected patients with advanced kidney cancer.
In some cases, immunotherapy may be combined with targeted therapy to improve disease control.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It is not generally the primary treatment for localised renal cell carcinoma, but it may be recommended in selected situations.
For example, radiation therapy can help manage pain or other symptoms when kidney cancer spreads to bones or other parts of the body.
Active Surveillance
Not every kidney tumour requires immediate treatment. For selected patients with small kidney tumours, doctors may recommend active surveillance.
This approach involves regular imaging tests and medical assessments to monitor changes in the tumour.
If the tumour grows or develops concerning features, active treatment may be considered.
Ablation Therapy
Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option for selected patients with small kidney tumours.
Two commonly used approaches are:
Radiofrequency Ablation: Uses heat to destroy abnormal tumour cells.
Cryoablation: Uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy tumour tissue.
These procedures may be considered for patients who are not suitable candidates for conventional surgery.