What is kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine that help filter blood and produce urine. Kidney cancer typically begins in the cells of the kidney’s small tubes, and it often goes undetected in its early stages because it may not cause obvious symptoms. Early detection is important, as kidney cancer is generally more treatable when found early.
Sometimes the cancer does not spread any further. This is called “in situ.” If the cancer spreads outside the breast, the cancer is called “invasive.
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Diagnosis of kidney cancer generally involves several steps, including imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsy:
Imaging Tests:
Ultrasound: Often used as an initial test to detect kidney abnormalities.
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: Provides detailed images of the kidneys, helping to locate the tumor and assess its size and shape.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Used when CT scans are inconclusive or if there’s a need to assess the spread of cancer.
Bone Scan and PET Scan: These may be used to check if the cancer has spread to other areas, particularly in advanced cases.
Blood Tests: Blood tests can reveal signs of kidney function, anemia, or other indicators that might suggest kidney cancer.
Biopsy: A needle biopsy involves taking a small sample of kidney tissue for examination. This helps confirm the type and stage of cancer.
Treatment for kidney cancer depends on the stage, type, and overall health of the patient. Common treatment methods include:
Surgery:
Partial Nephrectomy: Only the tumor or the diseased part of the kidney is removed, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Radical Nephrectomy: The entire kidney, surrounding tissue, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes are removed. This is the standard treatment for larger or more aggressive tumors.
Ablation and Embolization:
Cryoablation: Freezes and kills cancer cells using extreme cold.
Radiofrequency Ablation: Uses high-energy radio waves to heat and destroy cancer cells.
Arterial Embolization: Reduces the tumor’s blood supply, helping shrink it. This procedure may be done prior to surgery in some cases.
Targeted Therapy: Drugs target specific molecules involved in tumor growth. Medications like sunitinib, sorafenib, and pazopanib have shown effectiveness in treating kidney cancer, particularly in advanced stages.
Immunotherapy: Drugs like immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab, nivolumab) help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be particularly helpful for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer.
Radiation Therapy: While radiation is not commonly used as a primary treatment, it can relieve symptoms like bone pain in cases where cancer has spread.
Clinical Trials: Patients with advanced or treatment-resistant kidney cancer may benefit from participating in clinical trials. Trials may offer access to new therapies, including combinations of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and emerging drugs.
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