Renal Cell Carcinoma: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Hypernephroma

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, usually seen among adults. It occurs in the lining of proximal convoluted tubule which channelizes primary urine. The factors responsible for causing RCC are not clearly known, but the common symptoms include: blood in the urine, lump in the abdomen, drastic weight loss and fatigue, loss of appetite, vision problem, and abnormal hair growth.

If diagnosed with the above mentioned symptoms, the doctor would perform a few tests and physical examination in order to confirm RCC. The blood sample is sent for lab testing; a CT scan is performed to examine any unusual growth in your kidney; ultrasound waves are used to detect any sign of tumor in your kidney; urine test is conducted to detect blood in the urine which shows evidence of cancer cells; a biopsy is performed by eliminating a small portion of kidney tissue and the sample is sent for testing in order to confirm cancer.

The standard procedures for treating RCC include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trials.

Depending on the cause and seriousness of the condition, RCC can be treated in the following ways: Surgery- depending on how far the cancer has spread, partial removal or complete removal of your kidney may be necessary. In case of a life-threatening situation radical nephrectomy is performed wherein the surrounding tissue, lymph nodes and the adrenal gland is removed. Dialysis or transplant is inevitable in certain cases where both the kidneys need to be removed. Radiation- high-energy X-rays are given either through a machine or by using internal seeds and wires which help to kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy- the drugs given during chemotherapy channelizes through your bloodstream and helps to destroy the cancer cells which may have spread to other parts or organs of your body. They can be given either orally or intravenously. Biologic therapy- this refers to the process where the enzymes or substances present in your body fight the cancer cells. Targeted therapy- drugs are used to target specific cancer cells without causing damage to the healthy cells. For instance, certain drugs stop the flow of blood from blood vessels to the tumor.

Renal Cell Carcinoma is a common kidney cancer normally seen among adults. This disease is more common in men aging between 50-70 years than in women. Anybody showing symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, pain or lump in the abdomen, blood in the urine etc, or those who have a medical history of kidney stones or cancer are eligible for the treatment.

People who do not show symptoms of RCC, or do not have a medical history of kidney problems or cancer are not eligible for the treatment. Those who are prone to reactions or complications due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy do not need to undergo treatment without consulting the doctor.

Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma comes with a few side effects depending on the course of treatment and the patient’s immune system or health condition. The most common side effects include high fever or fatigue, nausea and diarrhea, infection and skin rashes due to frequent chemotherapy and radiotherapy session. It is important that you consult a doctor before you undergo any treatment for this disease. While some may be fit enough to cope up with these side effects, others may show serious and fatal health issues.

Post treatment guidelines for Renal Cell Carcinoma require people to look after their health conditions after undergoing strenuous chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions for a prolonged time because they disrupt the immune system and ultimately result in deterioration of health. In case of a surgery, the patient is advised to follow up with the doctor and continue with the prescribed medication. One must avoid smoking cigarettes and try to maintain a normal body weight.

Recovery from Renal Cell Carcinoma depends on the treatment procedure and the seriousness of your condition. Surgery is the most effective way of treating kidney cancers and the recovery usually takes 3-6 weeks.

The results of RCC treatment may not always be permanent. The sooner it is detected, more chances you have of complete recovery. Approximately 70-95% people who are detected with localized RCC where the cancer has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts, survive at least 5 years after the diagnosis.