Kidney Cancer Treatment in Indore

Kidney Cancer: A Detailed Description

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. The most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which arises from the lining of the small tubes in the kidney. Less commonly, transitional cell carcinoma affects the renal pelvis. Kidney cancer can be aggressive, and early detection is critical for better outcomes.

Aetiology & Risk Factors

The exact cause of kidney cancer is often unknown, but several risk factors increase susceptibility:

Smoking

Obesity

Hypertension

Family history of renal cancer

Genetic disorders, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease

Chronic kidney disease or long-term dialysis

The exposure to certain chemicals, such as asbestos or cadmium

Symptoms

Kidney cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages. Advanced disease can present with:

Blood in the urine - hematuria

Flank or lower back pain that is persistent

A palpable mass or swelling in the side or abdomen

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue

Fever not caused by infection

Anaemia (low red blood cell count)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves imaging, laboratory tests, and sometimes a biopsy:

Ultrasound - initial evaluation of renal masses

CT scan or MRI – evaluates tumour size, location, and spread

Chest imaging examines the lungs for any metastasis

Blood tests - kidney function test and complete blood count

Biopsy - may be performed to confirm diagnosis if surgery is not immediately planned

Overview of Treatment

Treatment depends on tumour size, location, stage, and overall kidney function. Kidney cancer often requires a multimodal approach.

1. Surgery

Partial nephrectomy: the removal of only the tumour and preserving kidney tissue

Radical nephrectomy – removal of the entire affected kidney, sometimes with surrounding tissue and lymph nodes

Surgery represents the main curative treatment for localised tumours.

2. Ablation Therapy

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or cryoablation – used for small tumours, often in patients who cannot undergo surgery

3. Targeted Therapy

Drugs targeting tumour growth pathways, such as sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, axitinib

Usual indications for advanced or metastatic renal carcinoma

4. Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab or combination therapies with ipilimumab

Activates the body's immune system against cancerous cells.

5. Radiation Therapy

Rarely used as the primary treatment

Can be used for palliation of symptoms or metastases to bones, brain, or other organs

6. Palliative Care

Focus is on symptom management in advanced disease

Pain relief, nutritional support, and quality-of-life care

Prognosis

Prognosis depends on tumour stage, size, grade, and response to treatment

Early-stage kidney cancer has a good survival rate after being surgically removed.

Advanced kidney cancer or metastatic kidney cancer is associated with a poor prognosis, but outcomes have improved due to targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

Prevention & Monitoring

Maintain a proper body weight and avoid smoking

Control high blood pressure

Regular imaging for high-risk patients. Follow-up after treatment consists of imaging, laboratory tests, and follow-up for recurrence.