institute for cancer research

Kidney Cancer Treatment

Introduction

The kidney caner treatment plan is usually devised in accordance with the kind of cancer.

Kidney cancer occurs in two main forms, including renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma. The renal cell carcinoma usually begins in cells that line the small tubes, which make up a part of each nephron. On the other hand, transitional cell carcinoma develops in the tissue that forms the tubes, which connect the kidney to the bladder.

The kidney cancer treatment plan is devised for each patient in accordance with the specific type of cancer diagnosed.

Treatment Options

In this section we’ve discussed the main options available in the kidney cancer treatment, especially for the renal cell carcinoma.

i) Surgery: Nephrectomy (removal of the entire kidney) has been considered as the main option in kidney cancer treatment. Both, radical as well as simple nephrectomy can be performed for the purpose.

In kidney cancer treatment, radical nephrectomy involves complete removal of the adrenal gland, border of the normal tissue and adjacent lymph nodes. Meanwhile, simple nephrectomy involves removal of the entire kidney, but without the adrenal gland or lymph nodes.

ii) Radiation therapy

This form of kidney cancer treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells. The radiation therapy is normally used to relieve pain when the cancer has spread to the bones. This kind of kidney cancer treatment may last for several weeks and the skin might become red, tender or irritable.

iii) Arterial embolization: In this form of kidney cancer treatment, a radiologist injects special material into the main blood vessel that leads to the kidney. The tumor gets deprived of oxygen and other nutrients through this procedure, which facilitates the treatment.

iv) Immunotherapy: This category of kidney cancer treatment basically used the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The oncologist administers a substance known as the biological response modifier such as interleukin-2 or interferon for the purpose.

v) Chemotherapy: This form of kidney cancer treatment uses drugs to attack the rapidly dividing cells. However, research is still being conducted on evaluating the effectivity of this option as a part of the kidney cancer treatment, especially for the cure of renal cell carcinoma.

For the treatment of transitional cell cancer, surgery alongwith suitable strategy is often advised as part of the kidney cancer treatment plan.

Experts suggest that once the kidney cancer spreads, conventional and standard treatments are not of much help. Hence, it is advisable to enroll for a clinical trial. Thus, the patient might be able to receive treatment, which might be effective but is not yet quite known as an option for kidney caner treatment.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
Created by: American eBusiness Solutions
Download the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research 2005 Brochure ( 29.2mb )