Surgical and Other Treatment Methods in Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is one of the most frequently seen cancers throughout the world. The treatment of this cancer varies depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient's general state of health. That is, every patient is unique and treatment planning must be customised according to individual needs.

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys and generally affects a single kidney. Its most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which makes up the great majority of kidney cancers seen in adults. This type of cancer generally gives no symptoms in its early stages, and for that reason it is generally detected during incidentally performed ultrasound or body scans.

The symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, continuous back pain, weight loss, fever and fatigue. The risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney cancer and certain genetic conditions.

While early-stage kidney cancer is generally treated with surgery, in advanced-stage cancers targeted therapy, immunotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy can be used. Surgical treatment may involve removing all or part of the cancerous kidney. Advanced technology is allowing more effective and targeted treatments to be developed in the treatment of kidney cancer, which means better results for patients. Treatment planning is customised according to the patient's needs and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Surgical Treatment Methods in Kidney Cancer

Surgery is the most widely used method in the treatment of kidney cancer and is generally preferred in early-stage cancers.

The surgical treatment applied in the treatment of kidney cancer is divided into two main approaches:

1. Radical nephrectomy: this is the procedure of removing the whole of the affected kidney together with the surrounding fatty tissue and sometimes also the nearby lymph nodes. This method is applied in situations where the cancer is large or has completely enveloped the kidney.
2. Partial nephrectomy: this involves removing only the cancerous tissue and a small area of healthy tissue around it. This procedure is preferred when the cancer is small or in patients who carry a risk of loss of function in one of the two kidneys.

To obtain detailed information about partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy: 
> Partial Nephrectomy
> Radical Nephrectomy

Other Treatment Methods

Apart from surgery, there are also different methods used in the treatment of kidney cancer:

1. Ablation treatments: these aim to destroy the cancerous tissue by freezing (cryoablation) or heating (radiofrequency ablation). They are suitable for small tumours, particularly for patients for whom surgery is not an option.
2. Targeted therapy: this targets specific molecules that support the growth and spread of cancer cells. These treatments are used in the advanced stages of the cancer or when surgery is not an option.
3. Immunotherapy: this uses medicines that help the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. It can be effective particularly in the treatment of advanced-stage kidney cancer.
4. Radiotherapy: this aims to kill cancer cells or slow their growth using high-energy rays. It is generally used for pain control or as palliative treatment when the cancer has spread to other areas.

The Importance of the Choice of Treatment

The treatment of kidney cancer depends on many factors such as the patient's general state of health and the stage and type of the cancer. The treatment plan is customised by a multidisciplinary team in the way most appropriate to the patient's needs. It is important that patients have information about the treatment options and are in open communication with their doctors.

Kidney cancer is a condition that can be managed with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment methods. While surgical treatment is the most effective method in the early stages of the cancer, in advanced stages or in situations where surgery is not possible, other treatment options such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also promising. It is of great importance that patients take an active role in the treatment process, ask their doctors their questions and make informed decisions about the treatment options.

Every treatment method has potential benefits, risks and side effects. For this reason, these factors must be taken into consideration when treatment decisions are made and the most appropriate treatment plan must be carefully prepared for each patient.