Kidney cancer is characterized by the development of rapidly multiplying mutated cells in the kidneys, causing kidney failure. In the latter stages, it could also lead to death. In some cases, the entire kidney, along with some tissues surrounding, might also be removed to ensure the complete elimination of the disease.

It is best recommended to cure cancer and choose a treatment option depending on the stage and type of cancer.

Stages I, II, and III

Stages I and II of kidney cancer consists of tumors that are still contained in the kidneys. Stage III is when the cancer has spread to the large veins or the regional lymph nodes.

There are two common procedures to treat these type of tumors:

• Partial nephrectomy
• In this procedure, a part of the kidney or tumors up to seven centimeters in size are removed.
• Radical nephrectomy
• This is the removal of the full kidney. This is done when the tumor is over seven centimeters in size and has spread all over the kidney. The lymph nodes may also be removed if they are enlarged or show signs of malignancy.

If cancer has spread to the veins in your body, the surgeon may have to cut open those veins to destroy the residue of cancer cells. After surgery, the chance of recurrence can be reduced by using targeted therapy and medicines. Treatment post-surgery is called adjuvant therapy.

An alternative to surgery is cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation. You may also try radiotherapy. These treatments will not give you the assurance of cure as surgery does, but they still seem to be pretty effective.

Stage IV

Stage IV in kidney cancer is recognized by the growth of the cancer cells outside the kidney onto the other parts of your body.

A surgical procedure or radiation therapy can help destroy the tumor. During the surgery, both the kidneys are removed along with the metastasis. However, if cancer has spread extensively to other organs, removing the kidney is advised against. The best option would be systemic therapy, which is two immunotherapy medicines followed by targeted therapy.

Treatment of stage IV cancer depends on how cancer affects an individual. In most cases, stage IV is too late to start treatments. Sometimes, it is advised to give treatments that extend their life and bring them comfort in their final days rather than make them undergo painful procedures that are unlikely to help them survive.

Recurrent cancer

Sometimes even after you’re fully cured, you may experience a recurrence in cancer. It can be local or distant.

• Local recurrence

If cancer occurs in the same place as before, it is called local recurrence. It can be treated by surgery or two immunotherapy drugs.

• Distant recurrence

If cancer occurs in a new place or organ, it is termed as distant recurrence. The treatment depends on the history of your treatment for previous cancer.