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5 different types of treatments for renal cell cancer

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common type of kidney cancer detected in adults. It is also referred to as renal adenocarcinoma, hypernephroma or renal cancer. RCC occurs when cancer cells develop on the lining of the tubules which are responsible for filtering blood, eliminating waste from the body, and producing urine. These cancer cells quickly multiply, thereby affecting the proper functioning of the kidneys. Some factors such as smoking, obesity, hepatitis C, overuse of pain relievers, exposure to certain types of chemicals, acquired cystic kidney disease, and inherited conditions can amplify the risk of renal cancer.

In the early stages, the signs and symptoms of RCC might be non-existent. However, as the condition progresses, patients might start to project symptoms such as bloody urine, lump in the abdomen, tiredness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and persistent pain or discomfort in the sides. Moreover, women could experience excessive hair growth. RCC is one of the cancers that can grow rapidly and spread to the lungs and other surrounding body parts.

Diagnosis and treatment
After conducting a physical exam and inquiring about personal and family medical history, if the doctor suspects there’s an issue then they might recommend tests such as a complete blood count, CT scan, abdominal or kidney ultrasounds, urine exam, and biopsy. If RCC is confirmed, then the patients will be directed to have some more tests done to conclude if the cancer cells have spread in any other body parts. Such tests help conclude on which stage (1 to 4) the patient is currently on. The staging tests may involve a chest X-ray, PET scan, and bone scan.

Based on the stage diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe a plan for renal cell cancer treatment. The following are some procedures used for renal cell cancer treatments.

Surgery – Renal cell cancer treatment involves the use of different types of surgeries based on the severity of the condition. If the kidney cancer is on stage 1 or 2, then the doctors might carry out a partial nephrectomy to just remove a part of the kidney. On the other hand, if the patient’s condition is serious then the doctors will carry out nephrectomy, i.e., the removal of the entire kidney. For patients dealing with advanced stages of kidney cancer, radical nephrectomy might be required, i.e., removal of the surrounding tissues, adrenal gland, and lymph nodes. In extreme cases, if both the kidneys have stopped working, then the patients will have to opt for a dialysis or transplant.
Radiation therapy – In this type of therapy, doctors use high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. The radiation can be administered in two ways, i.e., externally with the help of a machine or internally by the means of wires or seeds.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs which help kill cancer kills. These can be prescribed via oral or intravenous methods, based on the type of medicine chosen. Since chemotherapy drugs aren’t targeted they affect the healthy cells too and lead to multiple side effects. Usually, RCC doesn’t respond well to chemotherapy, however, few patients can benefit from this type of renal cell cancer treatment.
Immunotherapy – Also known as biologic therapy, immunotherapy aims to encourage your immune system to destroy the cancer cells. In this renal cell cancer treatment, the body produces enzymes or substances to protect the body from cancer. However, like chemotherapy, RCC might not respond well to such therapy. Moreover, its side effects can be serious.
Targeted therapy – Targeted therapy is a newer form of renal cell cancer treatment and it is preferred by many doctors as it kills the cancer cells without affecting the healthy ones. Some drugs alter the blood vessel function and restrict the blood flow to the affected area for starving the tumor so that it subsequently shrinks. Some drugs target protein known as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) which encourages the growth of cancer cells. Targeted therapy has proven to prolong the life of patients suffering from stage 4 kidney cancer by one year or more. As compared to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, this type of treatment comes across a responsive procedure, therefore, many researchers are developing new and more effective targeted drugs.

Patients with RCC can also participate in clinical trials which experiment with new treatments to assess their effects. However, it is essential to know that clinical trials are subject to some risk of hit or miss. Therefore, before one opts for any such experimental healthcare project, they should ensure to scrutinize all possible outcomes. To gain more insight into the clinical trials, one can seek counsel from their specialist.

The renal cell cancer treatment can be exhausting, physically as well as emotionally. Therefore, all patients should focus on eating well, exercising, and spend time with family and friends. Joining a support group can be also beneficial as patients can freely share their ordeals with people who are going through the same experience.

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