Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for kidney cancer. The goal is to remove the tumor completely while preserving as much normal kidney function as possible. The choice of procedure depends on the size, location, and stage of the tumor.
Early-stage kidney cancers treated surgically have excellent outcomes. Robotic and laparoscopic techniques have significantly improved precision and patient recovery.
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, occurs when abnormal cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. Most kidney cancers begin in the lining of tiny tubules and are called renal cell carcinoma. Many cases are detected early, making treatment more effective.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine. Their main function is to filter blood, remove waste, and produce urine.
Often used to help with symptoms of kidney cancer or in patients who cannot have surgery, this treatment uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or halt their growth. External radiation therapy sends radiation to the cancer from a machine outside the body.
This therapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. Less effective for kidney cancer than for other types of cancer, chemotherapy is mostly used for a certain type of kidney cancer in which there spindle cells (sarcomatoid variant).