Kidney Cancer Treatments
Surgical removal of the kidney is the most common treatment for kidney cancer, but radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also available. Other treatment methods include targeted therapy and biological therapy.
Treatment options
Currently, there are a variety of treatment options for kidney cancer. Each option has its own benefits and risks. The best way to find out which option will work for you is to talk to your healthcare team.
Surgery is one of the more common treatment options for kidney cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor, as well as the surrounding tissue. It can be performed by making a large incision in the abdomen or by using laparoscopic techniques. Surgery is a risky procedure, but it can provide excellent outcomes for patients.
In addition to surgery, some people may choose to pursue radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may be delivered internally or externally. This treatment is usually used to relieve the symptoms associated with advanced kidney cancer. It may also be used to treat secondary tumors at other sites.
Cryotherapy is another treatment option for kidney cancer. This treatment involves using cold energy to destroy the tumor. During the procedure, a special probe is inserted into the tumor. The tip of the probe is filled with extremely cold gases. The temperature is so cold that the cancer cells die.
Another treatment option for kidney cancer is immunotherapy. This treatment boosts the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. It has been proven to improve the chances of survival. It can also help to stop the progression of cancer.
Targeted therapy is also a common treatment option for kidney cancer. This type of treatment uses different drugs to target specific parts of the cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer, the best-targeted therapy may vary.
Radiation therapy may also be used to treat kidney cancer. This type of treatment uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be helpful for patients with metastatic disease to the brain or spine.
Diagnosis access bias plays a large role in the diagnosis of kidney cancer
Having access to accurate information about kidney cancer is an important first step in determining the best treatment for each patient. However, it is often a challenge to overcome the effects of racial bias. A recent study aimed to identify and quantify the risks associated with diagnosis access bias.
In this study, we analyzed data from the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) database. During the 10-year study period, we identified patients diagnosed with UL from 1987 to 2012. We performed an analysis of the SIRs of these patients to determine whether the frequency of medical contacts due to UL was associated with malignancy risks. Interestingly, patients diagnosed with bladder stones had the highest risk of developing ureter cancer.
The RENAL nephrometry scoring system, which measures the distance of a solid renal mass from the renal collecting system, was found to be associated with malignancy risk. The results of this study suggest that using this scoring system may help doctors make informed clinical decisions.
The sarcomatoid features of a kidney tumor can be indicative of an aggressive form of the disease. Several immunotherapy treatment options are available for sarcomatoid features, including atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and bevacizumab (Avastin).
Overall, we found that the size of the tumor was the best indicator of malignancy risk. The size of a tumor may increase or decrease over time, depending on factors such as age, gender, and comorbidities. In this study, 80% of patients had localized disease.
While we found that overall survival was similar among the strategies reviewed, thermal ablation and radical nephrectomy had lower perioperative outcomes. These two strategies were also associated with a higher rate of local recurrence.
We found that detection bias was common, both during the initial diagnosis and follow-up. This may have affected the results of our analyses.
Surgical removal is the most common treatment for kidney cancer
Surgical removal is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. It can help to prevent cancer from growing, as well as relieve symptoms.
The best type of surgery for a particular case will depend on a variety of factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, and stage of the disease. In some cases, patients may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery.
Patients also have access to targeted therapies, which are drugs that target cancer cells. These medications are taken orally or injected into the bloodstream. Some are given in a drip and others are given directly into a vein.
Another option is cryoablation, which uses freezing to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is also used to treat kidney cancer that has spread to the bones. It also helps ease symptoms of cancer spread to soft tissue.
Other treatments include immunotherapy, which uses a drug to reduce the risk of cancer returning. Targeted therapy and other types of drugs may also be used.
In some cases, recurrent cancers may require more advanced surgery. In other cases, it may be best to take part in clinical trials of new treatments.
Patients may also need to take medications to prevent bone loss. These medicines can help patients remain active and maintain their quality of life. Some may even be given pain relief medicines to help them cope with their cancer.
Some patients may also need to participate in active surveillance. This involves regular visits to the doctor, where the doctor will review symptoms and blood test results.
Kidney cancer can be diagnosed with urine tests, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound), and physical examinations. Some of these tests can detect cancer early.
Radiation therapy vs chemotherapy
Whether radiation therapy or chemotherapy is better for kidney cancer depends on the tumor, the stage of the disease, and your overall health. Both of these treatments may be used alone or together. Whether you’re considering radiation therapy or chemotherapy, it’s important to understand the side effects and how they may affect you.
Generally, radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. These treatments can be given through a needle, port, or pill.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may also be used to control bleeding from a kidney tumor. Chemotherapy has shown limited effectiveness in treating kidney cancer.
Another type of treatment is biological therapy, also known as immunotherapy. This type of treatment harnesses the body’s natural immune system to attack cancer. Several drugs have been shown to be effective against kidney cancer. These include Interleukin-2 and interferon.
Radiation therapy may also be used to treat kidney cancer that has spread to the bones. It can also be used to control the symptoms of kidney cancer, including pain.
The side effects of radiation vary depending on the type and amount of radiation, the area of the body being treated, and the person receiving the treatment. Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea.
A more advanced treatment is cryoablation, which freezes cancer to death. The radiation used for this treatment is high-energy radio waves, which are guided by ultrasound.
Whether radiation therapy or chemotherapy is better for your kidney cancer depends on your preferences and your health. In some cases, radiation therapy may relieve symptoms and relieve pain, but in other cases, it may damage healthy kidneys. Depending on your individual case, you may also be prescribed a variety of medications.
Targeted therapy and biological therapy
Biological therapy for kidney cancer, also known as immunotherapy, harnesses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. These medications may be given alone, or in conjunction with other treatments. Biological therapies have been shown to control advanced kidney cancer and prolong the lives of patients.
Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific parts of cancer cells. These drugs work by blocking a cancer cell’s ability to grow and spread. In some cases, targeted therapies can even shrink kidney tumors. The cancer cells are unable to multiply because they are targeted, but healthy cells remain unaffected.
These medicines may be given by a drip into a vein or as a shot. In some cases, they are given in combination with other treatments, like chemotherapy. They are also given before surgery or to treat cancer that has spread.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors may also be given alone or in combination with other treatments. These drugs work by blocking a chemical signal that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system. In some cases, they can also be combined with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which targets specific enzymes that regulate cell growth.
In some cases, immunotherapy medicines are used in conjunction with surgery. The surgeon guides a catheter into the blood vessel supplying the tumor. Then, small pieces of special gelatin sponge are released to block blood flow to the tumor and prevent it from getting the substances it needs to grow.
Targeted therapy is typically given in the later stages of kidney cancer. These medications work by targeting specific cancer proteins. They may also help limit damage to healthy cells, lowering the risk of cancer returning. These medications are available through Cancer Drugs Fund.
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
