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Addressing kidney cancer

Addressing kidney cancer

Top Doctors
Top Doctors editorial
Top Doctors
Created by: Top Doctors editorial Sources: Top Doctors CO
Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 30/03/2023

Kidney cancer can occur in different types, not always being malignant tumor. Currently it presents 2% of cancers diagnosed worldwide, with more prevalent in older people aged 60. Although in the last 20 years have increased the cases, the survival rate has also grown. Its early and accurate diagnosis will allow the urologist give the best treatment in each case: partial nephrectomy or complete nephrectomy.

The kidneys are two organs located in the back of the abdomen, whose function is to filter and purify the blood and consequently produce urine. Furthermore, they are important for various body processes, including regulation of blood pressure, blood production and bone care.

 

Kidney cancer: what is

Kidney cancer is a generic term. There are several types of kidney tumors, and several stages ofthe illness. Treatment depends on the specific characteristics of their tumor. Also note that not all kidney masses are malignant tumors. There are some benign tumors, such as renal cysts, angiomyolipoma or oncocytomas.

 

Prevalence of kidney cancer

Kidney cancer accounts for about 2% of cancers diagnosed worldwide. In the last twenty years the number of cases of kidney cancer has increased slightly in Europe, but thesurvival rate has also grown.Moreover, kidney cancer is found more frequently in men than in women. Most cases are diagnosed between 60 and 70 years.

 

Diagnosis of kidney cancer

Currently we diagnose most kidney tumors incidentally, in very early stages, for some testing (ultrasound or CT) requested by any independent reason for the presence of tumor above.Therefore, in most cases, the patient is asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.

 

Treatment for kidney cancer

Your urologist should complete the study before proposing a surgical treatment, with an analytical and any of the following tests: CT, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and in some cases highly selected, percutaneous biopsy.With these imaging know its (how advanced the tumor) tumor stage and will raise, with a multidisciplinary team, the best individualized treatment.

Take an example, if you have been diagnosed with localized kidney cancer we will evaluate the following:

- Partial nephrectomy (Figure 1: graphic scheme partial surgery of renal tumor)

Active surveillance of their tumor or radical nephrectomy (Figure 2: Graphic diagram of a radical nephrectomy)

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

The medical team will give a recommendation, taking into account the following circumstances:- Renal function- Associated pathology (hypertension, diabetes and if you have a tumor in one or both kidneys, and their family history)

They prevail less aggressive options and always firmly committed partial nephrectomy, wherever technically feasible and safe oncologically. It will also take into account the minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, which gives us a shorter recovery times, less long stays and fewer postoperative complications.

In any case, the decision will always be personally agreed with the patient and family.

If you have been diagnosed with a kidney tumor, feel free to request a consultation with our urologists preferred. Our multidisciplinary team consisting of Uro-oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and nephrologists, we will attend and offer you the best solution for your problem.

Nephrology