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Cures for Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer most commonly develops in the cells lining the kidneys; hence, it is also called renal cell carcinoma. Cancer causes the kidney to lose its capacity to perform its various functions, including elimination of waste products and maintaining electrolyte balance. According to the American Cancer Society approximately 50,000 individuals are diagnosed with kidney cancer yearly in the United States and almost 11,000 of them die. Various treatment methods are available to treat kidney cancer.
  1. Surgery

    • Surgery is the most commonly prescribed and administered treatment method. The extent of the surgery performed depends on the spread of the cancer and thus varies significantly from patient to patient. In the most common surgical process, a small damaged portion of the kidney is surgically removed, thus preventing the further growth and proliferation of the cancer cells. In certain severe cases, the surgeon removes the entire damaged kidney to prevent the cancer's spread to other body parts.

    Chemotherapy

    • Chemotherapy is another common treatment method. Strong doses of anti-cancer drugs like Pacitaxel and Velban are injected directly into the cancerous cell and tissues. The drugs damage the cancerous cells and thus help in averting the spread of the cancer.

    Targeted Drug Therapy

    • In the targeted drug therapy method, doctors prescribe drugs like Nexavar (Sorafenib), which are injected intravenously into the bloodstream. According to a Mayo Clinic study, Nexavar is effective in averting the formation of new blood vessels by the cancerous cells.

    Radiation Therapy

    • Radiation therapy subjects the cancerous cells to high wavelength and high energy radiation. Such exposure minimizes, and hopefully destroys, the cancer cells and, over time, reduces the size of the tumor.

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