Kidney Cancer

It is usually defined RIM cancer is a cancer that originates in the kidney.
The two most common types of kidney cancer, reflecting their location within the kidney, are renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) of the renal pelvis.
The distinction between these two types (RCC and UCC) is important because their prognosis, staging and management, ie treatment (eg, surgery, chemotherapy, etc.)., Is different.
RIM cancer originates in the kidney in two main locations: the renal tubule and the renal pelvis. Most cancers are the renal tubule renal cell carcinoma, and clear cell adenocarcinoma. Most cancers in the renal pelvis are transitional cell carcinoma.
Treatment
Patients with kidney cancer may be subjected to various types of treatment, which may include: surgery, arterial embolization, radiation therapy, immunotherapy treatment and / or chemotherapy. Some patients receive a combination treatment.
At any stage of disease, patients with kidney cancer treatments can perform to control the pain and other symptoms, to relieve side effects (s) treatment (s) and to ease practical and emotional problems. This type of treatment is known as supportive care, symptom management, or palliative care.
A patient may want to discuss with your doctor the possible participation in a clinical trial or a research study of new treatment methods.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. It is a type of local treatment. This tumor of the kidney and the area adjacent thereto.
An operation to remove the kidney is called nephrectomy. There are several types of nephrectomies. The type mainly depends on the tumor stage. The doctor can explain each type of surgery and discuss which is the most appropriate for the patient:
• Radical Nephrectomy: Often kidney cancer treated with radical nephrectomy. The surgeon removes the kidney as a whole together with the adrenal gland of the same hand, adipose tissue that surrounds the kidney Some lymph nodes in this area are also removed
• Simple nephrectomy: The surgeon removes only the kidney. Some patients with kidney tumor in stage I can be nephrectomized simple.
• Partial nephrectomy: The surgeon removes only the part of the kidney that contains the tumor. This type of surgery may be used when the patient has only one kidney or when the cancer affects both kidneys. A patient with a tumor of the kidney small (less than 4 cm) may also be subjected to this kind of surgery.
These are some of the questions the patient may want to ask the doctor before performing surgery:
• What kind of surgery I recommend?
• It is necessary to remove some lymph node? Why?
• What are the risks of surgery? Will I have any long term effects? Will I need dialysis?
• Should I store some of my blood in case you need a transfusion?
• How will I feel after?
• How long will it stay in the hospital?
• When can I resume my activities of day-to-day?
• How often must I conduct thorough medical examinations?
• A clinical trial be appropriate for me?
Arterial Embolization
Arterial embolization is a type of local treatment reduces tumor size. It is sometimes performed before an operation to facilitate the surgery. When it is not possible to perform the surgery, embolization can be used to help relieve symptoms associated with kidney tumor.
The doctor inserts a narrow tube (catheter) into a blood vessel of the leg. The tube is inserted until the main blood vessel (renal arteries) that provide blood to the kidneys. The physician injects a substance into the blood vessel to block the flow of blood to the kidneys. The lock will not allow the tumor receives oxygen and other substances that need to develop.
These are some of the questions the patient may want to ask the doctor before performing arterial embolization:
• Why do I need this procedure?
• Will I need to stay in hospital? Until when?
• What are the risks and side effects?
• A clinical trial be appropriate for me?
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy radiation treatment) is another type of local therapy. It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Affects tumor cells only in the treated area. A great device emits radiation to the body. The patient performs the treatment in hospital or clinic, for 5 days a week for several weeks.
A small number of patients is subjected to radiotherapy prior to surgery to reduce tumor size. Some are subjected after surgery to kill tumor cells that may remain in the area. Patients who can not undergo surgery may undergo radiation therapy to alleviate pain and other problems caused by cancer.
These are some of the questions the patient may want to ask the doctor before performing radiation therapy:
• Why do I need this treatment?
• What are the risks and side effects of this treatment?
• Are there any long term effects?
• When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
• How will I feel during treatment?
• What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
• Can I continue with my activities of day-to-day?
• How often do I have to complete medical examinations?
• A clinical trial be appropriate for me?
Treatment with immunotherapy
Treatment with immunotherapy is a type of systemic treatment. Uses substances moving through the bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells throughout the body. The terapêuitica with immunotherapy uses the body's natural ability (immune system) to fight cancer.
In patients with kidney cancer metastatic the doctor may prescribe interferon alfa or interleukin-2 (also known as IL-2 or aldesleukin). Under normal conditions, the body produces these substances in small amounts in response to infection or other diseases. For cancer treatment, these substances are produced in the laboratory in bulk.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is also a type of systemic therapy. The anticancer drugs enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. Although they are effective against other cancers, antineoplastic drugs have proved ineffective in the treatment of kidney tumor. However, many doctors are studying new drugs and new combinations that may be more effective in the future. There are new forms of drugs acting innovative available for the treatment of kidney tumor.
These are some questions a patient may want to ask the doctor about the biological treatment and / or chemotherapy:
• Why do I need this treatment?
• How does it work?
• What are the expected benefits of this treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment? What can I do about them?
• When you begin treatment? When will it end?
• Will I need to stay in hospital? Until when?
• How will the treatment affect my business day-to-day?
• A clinical trial be appropriate for me?
Prevention
Although it is not known exactly what causes kidney cancer, some preventive measures can be taken:
- Avoid smoking. Toxins present in cigarette smoke can cause alterations in the DNA of cells and lead to tumor development.
- Eat a balanced diet, preferring fruits, vegetables, and cereal fiber.
- Avoid eating foods high in sodium, preservatives, dyes or other additives.
- Eat vitamins that fight free radicals that can be harmful to the body, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A.
- Practice physical activities regularly. Sports help to eliminate toxins from the body that damage cells.
- Control blood pressure. Hypertension can cause overload and renal cell mutations harmful.
- Avoid contact with toxic substances such as pollutants, chemicals, pesticides etc.. If you work with solvents, heavy metals or other carcinogenic products, use proper protective equipment.