How do you treat a Kidney Cancer?

Treatment for kidney cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. The primary goal of treatment is to remove or destroy the cancerous tissue while preserving healthy kidney function. Here are the common treatment options for kidney cancer:

1. Surgery:

- Partial Nephrectomy: If the tumor is confined to a small area, it may be possible to remove only the tumor and preserve the healthy part of the kidney.

- Radical Nephrectomy: In cases where the entire kidney needs to be removed, a radical nephrectomy is performed.

2. Ablative Therapies:

- Percutaneous Ablation: This involves using image-guided techniques to destroy tumors using heat (radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation) or by injecting alcohol.

- Active Surveillance: For small and low-grade tumors, close monitoring may be recommended instead of immediate treatment. This involves regular imaging tests to monitor tumor growth.

3. Targeted Therapy:

- These medications target specific molecules involved in tumor growth and spread. Common drugs include sunitinib, pazopanib, and axitinib.

4. Immunotherapy:

- Immunotherapy drugs boost the body's immune response to recognize and attack cancer cells. Examples include nivolumab and pembrolizumab.

5. Radiation Therapy:

- External beam radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiation therapy may be used to treat kidney tumors, especially if surgery is not possible.

6. Chemotherapy:

- Chemotherapy drugs are rarely used alone in kidney cancer but may be combined with other treatments such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

7. Clinical Trials:

- Patients may consider enrolling in clinical trials that are evaluating new and experimental treatments for kidney cancer.

8. Supportive Care:

- Managing side effects of treatment and providing comfort care is essential. This may involve pain management, fatigue management, and nutrition counseling.

The treatment plan for kidney cancer is determined based on various factors, including tumor stage, grade, size, location, and the patient's overall health. A personalized treatment plan is developed by a team of healthcare professionals, including urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists.