Kidney cancer is a life-changing condition. However, it’s also extremely treatable when you detect it early. Discover more about kidney cancer treatment options near you in Michigan, the different types of kidney cancer, how kidney cancer is curable, and what you should expect and know about this diagnosis.
Types of Kidney Cancer
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Accounting for about 90% of kidney cancers, renal cell carcinoma is by far the most common type. It usually appears as a single mass on one of the kidneys, but in some cases it can appear on both. While most people only detect their renal cell carcinoma when the tumor has become large, most doctors find it before it has spread to more distant parts of the body.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Transitional cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that begins in the renal pelvis, which is the funnel-like part of the kidney connecting it to the rest of your urinary tract. While it’s less common than renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma is very curable, especially if your doctor detects it at an early stage.
Wilms Tumor
Also known as nephroblastomas, Wilms tumors are most common in children and are extremely rare in adults. Roughly 90% of kidney cancers in children are Wilms tumors. Wilms tumors are also very treatable, with a five-year survival rate of 90% or higher.
Renal Sarcoma
Renal sarcoma is a rare form of kidney cancer, similar to other types of soft tissue sarcoma. It starts in the blood vessels and connective tissue around the kidney. This type of cancer accounts for less than 1% of all kidney tumors.
Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
Kidney Cancer Surgery
Surgery is usually one of the first treatments for kidney cancer. While some people may have just part of their affected kidney removed, your surgeon may recommend removing the whole kidney. The type of surgery your oncologist recommends depends on the type of kidney cancer you have, its stage, and other health factors.
Kidney Cancer Targeted Therapy
Targeted drug therapy uses specialized medication that blocks proteins in cancer cells from growing and surviving, or by blocking the tumor’s blood vessels from growing. This process is similar to chemotherapy, but the medicines only attack the cancer cells in your kidneys rather than any other cells in your body that grow quickly, such as hair and skin cells.
Specialists at The CHC use targeted therapy as an important treatment for kidney cancer, as chemotherapy is not an effective way to treat it.
Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer
Immunotherapy uses medicine to help your immune system identify and destroy cancer cells. These medicines block or allow certain proteins in your body to attach to your immune system’s T cells, helping them recognize when to trigger an immune response against the tumor and cancer cells.
Your oncology team may use at least one of several different types of immunotherapy drugs to treat your kidney cancer. The type your doctor recommends depends on the stage of your kidney cancer, among other things.
Radiation Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses atomic gamma rays or other radioactive particles to kill cancer cells. Kidney cancer patients who require it receive radiation therapy from a machine that aims a beam of invisible radioactive rays at the tumors in the kidney.
This radiation is painless, and it won’t make you radioactive after you finish a round of treatment, so it’s safe to be around others once you’re finished. Your oncologist may recommend radiation therapy for kidney cancer if you are experiencing symptoms like pain or bleeding.
Clinical Trials for Kidney Cancer
Doctors and scientists are constantly searching for new ways to treat and cure kidney cancer. Clinical trials are an important part of that research.
Patients who join colon cancer clinical trials have the opportunity to receive forms of cancer treatment that might not be available to the public yet. These cutting-edge methods may also be more effective than existing treatments, especially for cancer that has spread.
Kidney Cancer Treatment Near You at The CHC
No two kidney cancer stories are exactly alike. That’s why at the Cancer & Hematology Centers, we treat your diagnosis like the individual case that it is. Not only do we provide multiple types of treatment for kidney cancer, but we also offer cutting-edge procedures and clinical trials to set you on the path to recovery faster.
Learn More About Kidney Cancer Treatment
Our team of experienced oncologists and kidney cancer specialists is here to help you through every step of your journey. To learn more about what the treatment options are for kidney cancer, call 800-411-7999 today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?
There are multiple symptoms of kidney cancer that you may notice at earlier stages, including:
- Blood in the urine
- Lump or mass in the back
- Unintentional weight loss
- Unexplained fever lasting a few weeks
- Constant tiredness
- Loss of appetite
How Fast Does Kidney Cancer Spread?
Kidney cancer spreads at different speeds depending on its type and grade. However, as a rule of thumb, early stages of kidney cancer tend to grow relatively slowly compared to more advanced stages that have spread outside the kidneys.
Kidney cancer’s survival rate over five years also tends to be higher when your doctor detects it early. However, it’s important to remember these statistics do not determine the results of your kidney cancer treatment.
How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?
There are a few different tests your doctor may conduct to see if you have kidney cancer, including:
- Blood and urine tests
- Imaging tests like K-rays, MRI, or ultrasounds
- Kidney biopsy