Kidney Cancer

Overview

Kidney cancer is a form of cancer that occurs when a mutation occurs within the cells of the kidneys. Typical signs of this include blood spots in the urine and pain in the back. Possible risk factors for kidney cancer include obesity, smoking and raised blood pressure levels.

Usually, symptoms don't occur during the early stages of the disease. Most often, kidney cancer is found by chance during an abdominal imaging exam. As the tumour develops further over time, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Traces of blood in the urine
  • Lower back pain
  • Formation of a lump in the lower back region
  • Unexplainable weight loss
  • High fever
  • Lethargy
  • Night sweats

There exist different types of kidney cancer, such as:

  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains the most prevalent form of kidney cancer in adults. RCC begins in the lining of the renal tubules. In most cases, this cancer remains in the kidneys but is still at risk of advancing further to the bones, lungs and brain.
  • Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is another common type of kidney cancer. It is named after how it appears underneath the microscope: as translucent bubbles.

Aetiology

The reason for kidney cell changes remains currently unknown. However, the risk of kidney cancer increases with age.

Diagnosis

Your doctor tests for kidney (renal) cancer by evaluating your medical history and performing a comprehensive physical exam. This process involves your active participation and can provide valuable information for the diagnosis. The exam is followed by blood and urine tests.

Your doctor may decide to order the following tests

  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Ultrasound

A biopsy may also be performed. During a biopsy, Dr Abdel Goad removes a tissue sample from the kidney to test for cancer.

Treatment

Surgery is the first approach to treatment, which entails removing the kidney or just a portion of it that contains the cancer. This type of surgery may be divided into a partial or radical nephrectomy. A partial nephrectomy is limited to removing only a portion of the kidney that contains the tumour. This surgical approach helps preserve as much of the kidney as possible. A complete nephrectomy resections the entire kidney, the surrounding tissues, and lymph nodes.

FAQ

1Are there different approaches to surgery?
A nephrectomy can be done openly or minimally invasively, depending on the patient’s eligibility.
2Are there non-surgical treatments?
Non-surgical treatment options include thermal ablation, a procedure that uses heat or cold to destroy the cancer cells; active surveillance, a strategy where the cancer is closely monitored but not immediately treated; and chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which use drugs or high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
3What is thermal ablation?
Thermal ablation is one treatment modality that involves cauterising or freezing the tumour. This approach is suitable for tiny tumours only.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are considered concerning urological symptoms?

  • A weak urinary stream
  • Signs of bladder stones
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Pain
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