OVERVIEW
Kidneys function to filter blood and excrete urine. Kidney cancers can arise in any portion of the kidney and can have various treatments. The most common type of kidney cancer is known as renal cell carcinoma.
Symptoms
You may experience the following common symptoms:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Flank mass
- Flank pain or pain in the side
- High blood pressure
- Anemia or low blood counts
- General symptoms: fatigue, weight loss, low grade fevers, bone pain
Causes
The cause of most kidney cancers is unknown, but various risk factors have been identified: smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, family history, radiation, genetic mutations and dialysis.
Diagnosis/Evaluation
- What to know before your visit:
- During your visit, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your medical history and will perform an exam.
- Other tests that may be performed during or after your visit:
- Labs and urine testing
- CT scan or MRI of the abdomen are used to better characterize the abnormality
- A biopsy of the kidney mass may be performed although is not required prior to surgery
Treatment
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT
Sometimes these tumors are able to be observed with repeat imaging on a six to 12 month basis.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
Often these tumors require surgery. An individualized surgical approach can be discussed with your doctor, and may be recommended in a robotic, laparoscopic or open fashion. Often your surgeon is able to save your kidney and only remove the tumor itself, this is called a partial nephrectomy. When a partial nephrectomy is unable to be performed, the entire kidney must be removed, which is called a radical nephrectomy. When one kidney is removed the remaining kidney does the work of both kidneys.
Other, less frequent, treatments may include: embolization, cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, systemic therapy or radiation.
Schedule an appointment with a MidLantic Urology physician near you today!