Kidney cancer or renal cancer is a disease in which the kidney cells become malignant or cancerous and start growing out of control. They gradually form a tumor. They first appear in the lining of tiny tubes in the kidney and then spread out. Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is frequently seen in adults between 50-80 years of age. However, mostly this cancer is noticed before it spreads to other organs. Kidney cancer treatment administered then is effective and successful.

1. Stages of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is categorized as per the number of cancer cells found in the body and how progressive the tumor is. Kidney cancer treatment largely depends on the stage in which the cancer is.

Let’s find out more about the stages and the kidney cancer treatment options available.

• Stage I

In this stage, the size of the tumor is seven centimeters or smaller, and it is found only in the kidney.

• Stage II

In this stage, the tumor size is larger than seven centimeters, but the tumor is in the organ itself.

• Stage III

In this stage, the tumor could be in the kidney and also in at least one adjacent lymph nodes. It could be in the kidney’s main vessel and a nearby lymph node. The tumor could extend into significant veins or perinephric tissues but not in the ipsilateral adrenal gland and also not beyond Gerota’s fascia.

• Stage IV

At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the fatty layer of tissue around the kidney, and it could be in the nearby lymph nodes too. It could have spread to other organs like lungs, pancreas, and bowel. It could have gone beyond Gerota’s fascia.

2. Treatment options

Once the cancer stage is determined, the doctor can plan the kidney cancer treatment. In most cases, surgery is the initial step, in which the tumor is removed. Thereafter, the doctor might suggest further treatment to kill the remaining cells.

• Radical nephrectomy

In this, the kidney, adrenal gland, and the surrounding tissues are removed. The nearby lymph nodes are also removed. It is one of the most common surgeries for kidney cancer treatment. It can be done through a small incision with a laparoscope.

• Simple nephrectomy

In this treatment, only the kidney is removed.

• Partial nephrectomy

If the tumor is 1.5 inches or 4 centimeters across, then only a part of the kidney might be removed. The surgeon might suggest some treatments in which the kidney is not removed, but all the cancer cells are destroyed.

•  Cryotherapy
  In this treatment, extreme cold is used to kill the tumor.
• Arterial embolization

In this form of kidney cancer treatment, a material is inserted into the artery that leads to the kidney, which blocks the blood flow to the tumor. It is usually done to shrink the tumor before the surgery.

• Chemotherapy

Use of medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying.

• Targeted therapy

Use of medicines or other substances to find and target the cancer cells with less toxicity to healthy cells.

• Biologic therapy

In this kidney cancer treatment, the immune system is boosted to fight cancer.