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Cancer begins when cells in a specific part of the body begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably. When cancer starts in the tissues of the kidney, it results in kidney or renal cancer, one of the most common cancers in the UK. This cancer generally occurs in adults over 60 years.
There are different types of kidney cancers depending upon where kidney cancer begins. Though the cause of kidney cancer is unknown, many factors like old age, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet and heredity may increase your risk of developing the condition.
If kidney cancer is diagnosed early, it can be cured completely. The five-year survival rate or kidney cancer life expectancy after five years of diagnosis is 75%. However, kidney cancer treatment options and prognosis depend upon the stage and spread of cancer.
In the early stages, kidney cancer shows no signs or symptoms. As the cancer advances, common symptoms of kidney cancer include:
Kidney cancers are usually found by chance during a routine physical examination or screening procedure. However, if you have one or more symptoms of kidney cancer, you should get it checked out by your doctor immediately. Though there are no routine laboratory tests that help diagnose this cancer, some diagnostic tests that your doctor or urologist (a urinary system specialist) may recommend are:
Symptoms and diagnostic tests guide your doctor and healthcare team about how to treat kidney cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, your doctor and healthcare team will discuss your treatment plan with you. Kidney cancer treatment options can be broadly classified as Localised and Systemic treatments. Localised treatments effectively treat early-stage kidney cancers that have not spread outside the organ. These include surgery, ablation and local therapy and radiation therapy.
In stage 3 or stage 4 kidney cancer (advanced stages), systemic treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy may be the treatment of choice. Sometimes, treatments may be given as combination therapy depending on the cancer stage, spread, age and overall health of the patient.
Many people worry about newer treatments, side effects of chemotherapy and kidney cancer on their bodies, chances for survival, and lots more. It is normal to have lots of questions, and you must clarify all you can with your doctor. It is essential to discuss all your treatment options with your healthcare team, including their side effects, their impact on your routine, quality of life, complications (if any), and other alternative treatment options.
If you are unsure about your cancer diagnosis or treatment plan, feel free to seek a second opinion from another oncologist anytime during your treatment journey.
Need help finding a second opinion? We can help you! Connect with us to speak to an expert.
Kidney cancers are usually found by chance during a routine physical examination or screening procedure. However, if you have one or more symptoms of kidney cancer, you should get it checked out by your doctor immediately. Though there are no routine laboratory tests that help diagnose this cancer, some diagnostic tests that your doctor or urologist (a urinary system specialist) may recommend are:
Symptoms and diagnostic tests guide your doctor and healthcare team about how to treat kidney cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, your doctor and healthcare team will discuss your treatment plan with you. Kidney cancer treatment options can be broadly classified as Localised and Systemic treatments. Localised treatments effectively treat early-stage kidney cancers that have not spread outside the organ. These include surgery, ablation and local therapy and radiation therapy.
In stage 3 or stage 4 kidney cancer (advanced stages), systemic treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy may be the treatment of choice. Sometimes, treatments may be given as combination therapy depending on the cancer stage, spread, age and overall health of the patient.