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Tumor of the Kidney

Renal carcinoma, commonly referred to as kidney cancer, typically develops in the cells that line the kidney. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in 75 will develop kidney cancer at some point in their lives.

  1. Symptoms

    • Early stages of kidney cancer are without symptoms. As the cancer progresses, back pain, blood in urine, fatigue and fever may be present.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis of kidney cancer typically consist of a biopsy of the tissue from the mass within the kidney.

    Nephrectomy

    • Nephrectomy (kidney removal) is the most common initial course of treatment. Both the affected kidney and the adjacent adrenal gland are surgically removed.

    Arterial Embolization

    • Arterial embolization may also be used when surgical removal of the kidney is impossible. This course of action is used to block the blood flow to the tumor, depriving it of oxygen until the tumor dies.

    Cryoablation

    • Cryoablation (cell freezing) may also be used as a course of treatment. Using a special needle and special gases, the cells and the surrounded tissue of the cell are injected. This injection causes freezing of the cells--once frozen, the cells will thaw and die.

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