Kidney Cancer Treatment
Different types of treatments are available for patients with renal cell
cancer. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being
tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about
taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to
help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with
cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard
treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment.
Four types of standard treatment are used for Kidney Cancer
Surgery for kidney Cancer
Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is often used to treat renal
cell cancer. The following types of surgery may be used:
Partial nephrectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the cancer within the kidney and some
of the tissue around it. A partial nephrectomy may be done to prevent loss of kidney
function when the other kidney is damaged or has already been removed.
Simple nephrectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the kidney only.
Radical nephrectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the kidney, the
adrenal gland, surrounding tissue, and, usually, nearby lymph nodes.
A person can live with part of 1 working kidney, but if both kidneys are removed or not
working, the person will need dialysis (a procedure to clean the blood using a machine
outside of the body) or a kidney transplant (replacement with a healthy donated kidney). A
kidney transplant may be done when the disease is in the kidney only and a donated kidney
can be found. If the patient has to wait for a donated kidney, other treatment is given as
needed.
When surgery to remove the cancer is not possible, a treatment called arterial
embolization may be used to shrink the tumor. A small incision is made and a catheter
(thin tube) is inserted into the main blood vessel that flows to the kidney. Small pieces
of a special gelatin sponge are injected through the catheter into the blood vessel. The
sponges block the blood flow to the kidney and prevent the cancer cells from getting
oxygen and other substances they need to grow.
Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery,
some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any
cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after the surgery, to increase the chances of
a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.
Radiation therapy for kidney cancer
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or
other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy.
External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the
cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds,
wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the
radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Chemotherapy for Kidney Cancer
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of
cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When
chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the
bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When
chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such as
the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy).
The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being
treated.
Biologic therapy for kidney cancer.
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to
fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost,
direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer. This type of cancer
treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy.
Kidney Cancer Treatment by Stages
Stage I kidney Cancer
Standard treatment of stage I renal cell cancer may include the following:
* Surgery (radical nephrectomy, simple nephrectomy, or partial nephrectomy).
* Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms in patients who cannot have
surgery.
* Arterial embolization as palliative therapy.
Stage II kidney Cancer
Standard treatment of stage II renal cell cancer may include the following:
* Surgery (radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy).
* Surgery (nephrectomy), before or after radiation therapy.
* Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms in patients who cannot have
surgery.
* Arterial embolization as palliative therapy.
Stage III Renal Cell Cancer
Standard treatment of stage III kidney cancer may include the following:
* Surgery (radical nephrectomy). Blood vessels of the kidney and some lymph nodes may also
be removed.
* Arterial embolization followed by surgery (radical nephrectomy).
* Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of
life.
* Arterial embolization as palliative therapy.
* Surgery (nephrectomy) as palliative therapy.
* Radiation therapy before or after surgery (radical nephrectomy).
Stage IV Kidney Cancer
Standard treatment of stage IV renal cell cancer may include the following:
* Biologic therapy.
* Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of
life.
* Surgery (nephrectomy) as palliative therapy.
* Surgery (radical nephrectomy, with or without removal of cancer from other areas where
it has spread).
Kidney Cancer
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Information from National Cancer Institute
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