Treatment for kidney cancer
Surgery
A decision to have surgery depends on the size of the tumour and where it is. During the operation, all or part of the tumour and some healthy tissue around the tumour are removed. Surgery is done under a general anesthetic and you will stay in the hospital for several days after the surgery.
Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. An operation to remove a kidney is called a nephrectomy. The remaining kidney is usually able to take over the job of both kidneys.
There are three types of kidney cancer surgery. What type you have depends on the stage of the cancer and whether or not it has spread.
- Radical nephrectomy: The surgeon removes the entire kidney, along with the adrenal gland and some tissue around the kidney. Some of the nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. Kidney cancer is usually treated with radical nephrectomy.
- Simple nephrectomy: The surgeon removes only the kidney. A simple nephrectomy may be used for some people with early stage (stage 1) kidney cancer.
- Partial nephrectomy: The surgeon removes only the tumour and some of the tissue around the tumour. This type of surgery spares some of the kidney and may be used when the cancer affects both kidneys or if you have only one kidney because of a previous surgery.
After surgery you may have some pain or nausea, or may not feel like eating. These side effects are temporary, and can be controlled. To help with your recovery after surgery, a narrow tube (called a catheter) may be put into your bladder through the urethra to drain the urine into a collecting bag. This means you will not have to get up to go to the bathroom. The catheter is usually removed after a couple of days.
Arterial embolization
Arterial embolization helps shrink the tumour by blocking the flow of blood into the kidney. This stops the tumour from getting oxygen and other nutrients it needs to grow. The doctor inserts a narrow tube into a blood vessel through a small cut in the leg. The tube is passed up to the main blood vessel (renal artery) that supplies blood to the kidney. Small pieces of a special gelatin sponge are injected through the catheter into the blood vessel to block the blood flow to the kidney. Arterial embolization is sometimes done before a nephrectomy to make surgery easier.
After arterial embolization, you may have back pain or develop a fever. Other side effects include nausea and vomiting. These side effects go away soon after treatment.
Biological therapy
Biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy) uses natural body substances or drugs made from natural body substances to boost the body’s own defences against illness. Interferon is a biological therapy used to treat kidney cancer that has spread. It’s given by injection. The side effects can be severe, causing flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people may get a skin rash. The side effects usually become less severe as your body becomes used to the drug. Side effects will disappear once treatment is finished. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment with your healthcare team.
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapies use drugs or other substances that can find and attack specific types of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. These drugs work by stopping the growth of cancer cells and the growth of blood vessels to the tumour. The targeted therapy drugs used to treat kidney cancer are taken in pill form or intravenously. Side effects are usually mild, but they depend on the type of drug. Your healthcare team will tell you what to expect. These drugs may not be available in all centres.
Learn more about ways to manage and control your pain and discomfort, side effects and stress when you are having cancer treatments.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or are caring for someone with cancer, you will probably need to deal with many day-to-day issues, make tough decisions, and cope with a range of emotions.
Last modified on:
08 July 2011
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