Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer starts in the kidneys and is most commonly seen as renal cell carcinoma.

Symptoms:

• Hematuria: Blood in the urine, which may be visible or microscopic.
• Flank Pain: Pain in the side or back.
• Abdominal Mass: A lump or mass in the abdomen or side.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant weight loss without a clear reason.
• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or weakness.
• Fever: Recurrent fevers not caused by infections.

Diagnosis:

• Ultrasound
• Biopsy : May not be required.
• Blood Tests
• CT scan of Abdomen and pelvis
• Bone scan
• PET scan ( in some cases )

Treatment Options :

Surgery

• Surgical excision is the primary treatment for organ confined RCC
• Radical Nephrectomy, includes removal of the kidney en bloc with Gerota’s fascia, the ipsilateral adrenal gland,+/- regional lymph nodes is the standard therapy
• Nephron-sparing Partial Nephrectomy has gained acceptance for treating tumors which are small and away from hilum. 
• Few advanced cases with tumour thrombus in the renal vein or IVC may require IVC thrombectomy.
• Minimally Invasive Approach :
• Robotic Nephrectomy/ Partial nephrectomy
• Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Other Treatment options : Immunotherapy.