Kidney Cancer

For most cancers confined to the kidney, surgery is the first treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer while preserving kidney function, when possible. Operations used to treat kidney cancer include:

• Removing the affected kidney. A complete nephrectomy, also known as a radical nephrectomy, involves removing the entire kidney and a border of healthy tissue around it. Nearby tissues such as the lymph nodes, adrenal gland or other structures also may be removed.

  The surgeon may perform a nephrectomy through a single incision in the abdomen or side, called an open nephrectomy. The surgeon also may use a series of small incisions in the abdomen, known as laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.

• Removing the cancer from the kidney. A partial nephrectomy involves removing the cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it rather than the entire kidney. This procedure also is called kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing surgery. It can be done as an open procedure, laparoscopically or with robotic assistance.

  Kidney-sparing surgery is a common treatment for small kidney cancers and it may be an option if you have only one kidney. When possible, kidney-sparing surgery is generally preferred over a complete nephrectomy to preserve kidney function. It also may reduce the risk of later complications, such as kidney disease and the need for dialysis.

The type of surgery you have is based on your cancer and its stage, as well as your overall health.

Cryoablation is a treatment to freeze cancer cells. During cryoablation, a special hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the kidney cancer using ultrasound or other image guidance. Cold gas in the needle is used to freeze the cancer cells.

Cryoablation can treat small kidney cancers in certain situations. It might be used in people who have other health concerns that make surgery risky.

Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment to heat cancer cells. During radiofrequency ablation, a special probe is inserted through the skin and into the kidney cancer using ultrasound or other imaging to guide placement of the probe. An electrical current is run through the needle and into the cancer cells. This causes the cells to heat up or burn.

Radiofrequency ablation can treat small kidney cancers in certain situations. It might be used in people who have other health concerns that make surgery risky.

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful energy beams. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine directs radiation to precise points on your body.

Radiation therapy can be used on the kidney to kill the cancer cells. It also can help control or reduce symptoms of kidney cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones and brain.

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses medicines that attack specific chemicals in the cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, targeted treatments can cause cancer cells to die.

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with medicine that helps the body’s immune system kill cancer cells. The immune system fights off cancer and other cells that shouldn’t be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system cells find and kill the cancer cells.

For kidney cancer, immunotherapy may be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain. It also may be used when the cancer grows very large or spreads to other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy treats cancer with strong medicines. Many chemotherapy medicines exist. Most are given through a vein. Usually, kidney cancers are resistant to chemotherapy. However, it may be used for certain rare types of kidney cancer.

Palliative care is a special type of healthcare that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve pain and other symptoms. A healthcare team that may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained health professionals provides palliative care. The care team’s goal is to improve quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team. They provide an extra layer of support while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time you’re getting strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation therapy.

The use of palliative care with other proper treatments can help people with cancer feel better and live longer.