Kidneys are bean shaped dark red organs. They are responsible for the removal of waste in the form of urine from the human body. They are located inside the abdominal cavity, below the diaphragm. Kidney cancer is often observed in the people who have crossed 40. Sadly, the exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown. But, studies show that smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, etc can cause kidney cancer. The symptoms include hypertension, fever, blood in urine, pain in the lower and sides of the back, swelling on the ankle and leg, tiredness and rapid weight loss. Diagnosis for kidney cancer includes intravenous pyelogram, ultrasound test, biopsy, CT scan, and a few blood and urine tests. The method of treatment for kidney cancer differs as per the type of kidney cancer the patient is suffering from. Let us first discuss these types and then the methods of treatment for cancer of this type.

A patient generally suffers from two main types of kidney cancer. One is renal cell carcinoma, where the cancerous cells are found in the tubes, which are responsible to remove waste by filtering the blood, while the other is the renal pelvis carcinoma, where the cancerous cells are found in the middle region of the kidney, which is responsible to store the urine. The options of treatment for kidney cancer mainly include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery for Kidney Cancer Treatment

There are different types of surgeries performed to relieve the patient from kidney cancer. One of them is radial nephrectomy, which involves the removal of the entire kidney along with the adrenal gland and the nearby lymph nodes and tissues. This can also be done through laparoscopy. The second method is called as partial nephrectomy where the affected area within the kidney along with the nearby lymph nodes is removed, and the third method is called simple nephrectomy, where only the kidney is removed. In some cases both the kidneys are removed from the patient’s body. In such cases, the patient has to undergo a kidney transplant to help the body do the function of the kidneys. In some cases, surgery cannot be performed to remove the cancerous cells. In these cases arterial embolization may be done. This procedure helps to reduce the size of the cancerous cells. It is done by inserting a catheter, carrying small pieces of gelatin sponges, into the main blood vessel that carries the blood to the kidneys, through a small incision which is made in the patient’s body. This method blocks the blood flow to the kidney, thus killing the cancerous cells from the patient’s body.

Targeted Therapy for Kidney Cancer Treatment

Targeted therapy is given to the patient when the growth of the cancerous cells is due to some specific proteins or other cells. It is generally used for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. Different antiangiogenic agents or kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies like torisel, sutent, etc are used to kill the cancerous cells present in the kidneys. These drugs react with the DNA of the cancerous cells and stop their growth, eventually killing them.

Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy for cancer treatment is also one of the common methods to treat kidney cancer in the advanced stages. This method boosts the patient’s body’s immune system to kill the cancerous cells. Drugs like interleukin-2 and interferon are commonly given to the patient. These drugs react with the immune system of the body and help the body fight with these cancerous cells naturally. Sadly, this method has very harsh side effects and hence is avoided these days. It is only given when the patient’s body does not respond to the other methods of treatment for kidney cancer.

Radiation Therapy for Kidney Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is mostly not given to treat kidney cancer as the patient’s body does not respond to the treatment, but it can be given in the cases where surgery cannot be performed. It can also be given to relieve the patient from the pain he / she is suffering from, as the cancerous cells have spread beyond the kidneys. This therapy makes the use of high energy x-rays to kill the cancerous cells inside the patient’s body.

Chemotherapy for Kidney Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is also generally not given to the patients suffering from kidney cancer. However, it can be given after or before surgery to remove the remaining cancer cells or to shrink them, as per the requirement. It is administered in the form of intravenous drugs or pills of different combinations of drugs. These drugs react with the cancerous cells by entering the blood stream of the patient. The doctors administering chemotherapy treatment should be qualified and experienced for giving this treatment.

These were the common methods of treatment for kidney cancer. Either any one method can be prescribed or a combination of two can be prescribed. This depends on type of kidney cancer the patient is suffering from and the extent to which the cancerous cells have spread inside the patient’s body.