Kidney Cancer Treatment in Orange County, CA

The board-certified urologists at Southland Urology specialize in providing comprehensive care for patients suffering from kidney cancer. Finding out that you have cancer can be extremely overwhelming. Our urologists are dedicated to not only treating your kidney cancer but also making you feel as comfortable and confident as possible during your recovery. If you have any questions or would like schedule an appointment, please call our offices in Fullerton or Yorba Linda at (714) 870-5970.

What is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is also known as renal cancer. The cancerous cells tend to begin in the tiny tubes of the kidney, which is diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma, hence the name “renal cancer”. Luckily, in most cases, kidney cancer is found before it is able to spread.

Kidney cancer is actually the 6th most common cancer in men, though women are of course also susceptible to this condition. It is estimated that only 4% of all cancer cases are diagnosed to be kidney cancer, however, this particular type of cancer tends to affect a specific demographic, so understanding the risk factors and how they apply to you is very important.

The most common type of kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma. Several treatment options are available, including surgery or medical treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?

It is important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily mean a person does in fact have kidney cancer, but if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and also fit into a few of the risk factors discussed above, consult with a specialist right away about scheduling a screening.

These symptoms are in order of how common they are, with the most common at the top:

• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal mass
• Back or flank pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Low blood cell counts (anemia)
• Symptoms of metastases (secondary malignant growths that begin to grow away from the primary site of cancer)
• Fever
• High calcium levels in the blood
• High blood cell counts

Diagnostic Testing for Kidney Cancer
First, Southland Urology will conduct a physical exam and discuss with the patient’s medical history and current symptoms with them directly. If Southland Urology feels that further testing is warranted, they will most likely refer the patient to a radiologist to complete a CT scan, PET scan, MRI, or ultrasound. Other exams can also include a biopsy and blood test among a few others. Make sure you discuss your diagnostic options and preferences with Southland Urology.

CT and MRI exams are typically used to detect the staging of the cancer if it exists. There are 4 primary staging groups of kidney cancer in addition to more specific subcategories that detail how the cancer developed and possibly spread to other areas of the body.

How is Kidney Cancer Treated?

The choice of treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer. The “stage” describes the size and aggressiveness of the cancer, including whether it has spread to other parts of the body (such as the lungs, liver, or bones). Lower stage cancers are generally not as advanced and are less likely to come back after treatment.

Localized Kidney Cancer Treatment

(Stages I through III)

Localized kidney cancer includes stages I through III. It is called localized because the cancer has not yet spread beyond the kidney (except for nearby lymph nodes, which are part of the body’s immune system).

Surgery

Surgery to remove part or all of the affected kidney is the preferred treatment for most people with localized kidney cancer. How much tissue is removed depends upon:

• size and location of the cancer in the kidney
• number of tumors present
• how well the kidneys work

If the tumor is large or in the center of the kidney, your doctor may remove the entire kidney, as well as nearby areas that are affected (radical nephrectomy). This is more likely to be done if the other kidney works well. Fortunately, most people are able to live well with just one kidney.

If the other kidney is not functioning properly, the surgeon may remove only part of the kidney in order to allow the kidney to keep working, at least somewhat. This can be done either surgically, or by freezing or burning the kidney tumors.

Advanced Kidney Cancer Treatment

(Stage IV)

Advanced (or metastatic) renal cell carcinoma consists of stage IV kidney cancer. This type of advanced cancer is difficult to cure.

Medical Treatments

Medicine (also known as medical treatment) is used instead of, or in addition to, kidney surgery. Three of the main types of medical treatment are:

• Interleukin-2 (IL-2). This therapy turns on the immune system so that it attacks the cancer cells. It is usually only used when you are healthy enough to withstand the severe side effects, such as fever, kidney failure, low blood pressure, and irregular heart beat.
• Anti-angiogenic therapies. This medical treatment keeps new blood vessels from forming and supplying the tumor with the blood that it needs to grow and survive. This will not cure the kidney cancer, but can stop the tumor from growing for a long time. Side effects include tiredness, high blood pressure, and rashes.
• Targeted therapies. These medicines slow the growth of the cancer by interfering with the cancer cells directly. This treatment also won’t cure the kidney cancer, but can help you live longer with fewer symptoms. Side effects include tiredness, high blood pressure, and rashes.

Surgery

Surgery for advanced renal cell carcinoma is sometimes used before medical treatment, although medical treatment may be done on its own.

Surgery can be done robotically where the surgeon uses a high tech machine, called the da Vinci robot. The arms of the robot are controlled by the physician and it mimics the doctor’s hand movements precisely. This allows the surgeon to reach areas within the body without having to make large incisions and without seriously damaging skin and tissue.

As with localized kidney cancer, all or part of the kidney is removed. Treatment for advanced kidney cancer, though, also involves removing areas outside of the kidney where the cancer has spread (metastases).

Surgery does not usually cure the cancer in cases of advanced renal cell carcinoma but may reduce the symptoms and allow you to delay medical treatment.

Radiation or Chemotherapy

Radiation or chemotherapy may be used after surgery in both localized and advanced kidney cancer. These are used to kill left-over cancer cells, even if all of the visible cancer was removed. This lowers the risk that the kidney cancer will return.

With radiation therapy, X-rays or another type of radiation is used to kill the cancer cells. The radiation source is either outside the body (as with the X-rays) or placed inside the body (using a radioactive substance).

Chemotherapy drugs—taken by mouth or injected—kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing.

What Follow-Up Tests Are Recommended Post Kidney Cancer Treatment?

Regular check-ups after treatment are advised in order to make sure that the cancer does not return. This may include an exam, lab tests, and X-ray tests, and are done every 6 to 12 months for at least five years.