Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), another name for kidney cancer, is a kind of cancer that starts in the tissues of the kidneys, which are bean-shaped organs in the back of the abdomen that aid in blood waste removal, blood pressure regulation, and fluid balance.
One of the top ten most prevalent cancers in adults is kidney cancer. More cases are being identified early, frequently before symptoms even manifest, as a result of improvements in imaging and treatment. Awareness is still crucial because some kidney cancers can still be aggressive, particularly if they are not discovered in time.
Renal cell carcinomas, which start in the lining of the kidney's tiny tubes, account for the majority of kidney cancers. Among the subtypes are:
Other less frequent varieties include Wilms tumor, which primarily affects children, and transitional cell carcinoma, which affects the renal pelvis.
The exact cause is often unclear, but several risk factors have been identified:
It's crucial to remember that kidney cancer can strike people who have no known risk factors.
Kidney cancer frequently shows no symptoms in its early stages. During imaging for other problems, many cases are unintentionally found. But as the tumor spreads, symptoms could include:
Coughing, bone pain, or leg swelling are signs of advanced disease that has spread to the liver, lungs, or bones.
A number of tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of kidney cancer if it is suspected:
Following confirmation, the cancer is categorized into stages I through IV according to the size of the tumor, local spread, and metastasis.
The stage, tumor size, general health, and patient preference all affect how kidney cancer is treated. In order to preserve as much kidney function as possible, the tumor must be removed or destroyed.
For the majority of localized kidney cancers, surgery is the primary treatment option.
Active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting, may be suitable for certain patients who have small tumors or several medical conditions.
Patients who are unable to have surgery can use less invasive methods such as cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which use heat or cold to destroy the tumor, respectively.
Targeted medications that block particular cancer growth pathways have greatly improved the prognosis for advanced or metastatic kidney cancer. These consist of:
The immune system can identify and combat cancer cells with the aid of checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or combination treatments (e.g., ipilimumab + nivolumab). In many advanced cases, these are now regarded as a first choice.
Conventional chemotherapy is often ineffective against kidney cancer. Instead of being used as a curative treatment, radiation is primarily used to control symptoms or relieve pain in metastatic sites (palliative care).
Long-term follow-up is necessary for kidney cancer patients undergoing treatment in order to track kidney function and identify any spread or recurrence. Typically, this consists of:
The follow-up plan is customized based on the tumor stage, treatment received, and recurrence risk.
Certain lifestyle changes can lower risk, even though not all kidney cancers can be prevented:
For high-risk individuals, early detection through routine physicals and imaging may also help detect tumors at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Managing kidney cancer can be challenging, particularly when it has spread or become advanced. Urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists must all work together in a multidisciplinary manner.
Kidney cancers are actively treated systemically by medical oncologist Dr. Amit Badola. Immunotherapy and targeted agents, which have transformed the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, are among his areas of expertise. To guarantee that each patient receives a customized, evidence-based treatment plan, Dr. Badola collaborates with a team.
