Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
There are several treatment options for kidney cancer available
at the Kidney Cancer Institute. Some treatment include cryoablation,
laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic radical nephrectomym
laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy.
Active
Surveillance for Kidney Cancer
Active surveillance is also known as watchful waiting or observation
and this is the least invasive treatment strategy for kidney cancer.
The term “active surveillance” is preferred as it is
most accurate regarding this process.
Cryoablation
and Radiofrequency Ablation for Kidney Cancer
Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation are the two techniques
by which kidney tumors can be ablated today. The concept of ablation
is relatively new in cancer surgery for any disease. Traditionally,
surgeons have treated cancer by literally cutting it out. This is
a process known as extirpation.
Laparoscopic
Partial Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy uses a minimally invasive approach
(laparoscopy) to perform exactly the same procedure that is done
in open partial nephrectomy. In any partial nephrectomy (open or
laparoscopic), the kidney cancer is removed with a small amount
of normal tissue around it.
Open
Partial Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Open partial nephrectomy is defined as a removal of a portion of
the kidney to achieve total removal of the entire tumor.
Laparoscopic
Radical Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy uses a minimally invasive approach
(laparoscopy) to perform exactly the same procedure that is done
in open radical nephrectomy. In any radical nephrectomy (open or
laparoscopic) the entire kidney including the kidney cancer is removed.
The operation involves removal of
the kidney along with the fat around the kidney.
Open
Radical Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Open radical nephrectomy is defined as removal of the entire kidney
with surrounding fat and adrenal gland via an open flank or abdominal
incision.
Laparoscopic
Cytoreductive Radical Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Laparoscopic cytoreductive radical nephrectomy is the exact same
operation as a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. However, the laparoscopic
cytoreductive nephrectomy is done in the setting of kidney cancer
that has extended outside of the kidney and its surrounding tissues.
Open
Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Open cytoreductive nephrectomy is the exact same operation as an
open radical nephrectomy. However, the open cytoreductive nephrectomy
is done in the setting of kidney cancer that has extended outside
of the kidney and its surrounding tissues.
Open
Cytoreductive Nephrectomy with Vena Caval Reconstruction
Open cytoreductive nephrectomy with vena caval reconstruction is
the same as an open radical nephrectomy, but it also involves the
surgeon opening the main vein inside the abdomen (which is known
as the vena caval) to remove the tumor thrombus that has clogged
this vein.
Complementary
/ Holistic Integrative Approach to Kidney Cancer
There are some proven and unproven Holistic therapies that seem
to be effective for Cancer. There has been, however, no study showing
the effectiveness of complementary therapies specifically for Kidney
cancer at this time.
Complementary
Medicine
Complementary medicine refers to non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical
techniques, which are used in conjunction with medical treatments
such as drugs and surgery.
Holistic
Medicine
Holistic medicine is a system of medicine, which considers the human
body as an integrated whole, or as a functioning unit. Holistic
medicine emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person's health,
including physical, psychological, social, economic, nutritional,
and environmental factors.
Integrative
Medicine
Integrative medicine is the practice of combining alternative, complementary
and conventional therapies to take advantage of the strengths of
each system and to offset their weaknesses.
Biotechnology
That Is Used to Cure Kidney Cancer
Biotechnology that is used to cure kidney cancer includes cryoablation
machine and probes, laparoscope, lap ultrasound, floating ball,
Floseal and Enseal.
What
are the Kidneys?
The kidneys are a pair or bean-shaped organs which are found in
near the spine. The kidney’s primary function is to filter
blood to remove wastes and toxins created by normal body activity.
General
Considerations Regarding Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer
As with any serious decision, making thoughtful choices regarding
the treatment of kidney cancer is of the utmost importance. Information
from sources such as websites, books, and magazines can be a helpful
starting place.
What
is Kidney Cancer?
"Kidney cancer” is not a disease per se, but rather is
a group of cancers that arise form different parts of the kidney
tubules. Recently, a panel of experts convened a consensus conference
in Heidelberg, Germany. Kidney cancers were divided into the following
subtypes: Common or conventional renal cell carcinoma, papillary
renal cell carcinoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, collecting
duct carcinoma (including medullary carcinoma), and renal cell carcinoma,
which cannot be classified.
Signs
and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer:
-
Blood in
urine (“hematuria”)
-
Pain in the
back just below the ribs
-
A mass that
can be felt
-
Unexplained
weight loss which can sometimes be rapid
-
Intermittent
fevers or night sweats
-
Fatigue and
lethargy
-
Fever that
is not associated with a cold or the flu
-
Pain in other
parts of the body if the cancer has spread
What
are Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer?
It has long been known that for each different type of cancer there
are distinct risk factors. These factors do not assure that an individual
will have cancer, but increase the chances of developing the cancer.
The mechanism by which the majority of these risk factors result
in cancer is not always known, but epidemiological studies do allow
physicians to identify factors which are associated with each different
type of cancer.
Diagnosis
of Kidney Cancer
T he majority of kidney cancers are “incidental findings.”
The term incidental finding simply means that the kidney tumor,
which is usually small in diameter, was found during the evaluation
of a separate process.
Biopsy
of Kidney Masses/Cancer
A biopsy is the process of taking a small sample of tissue from
a body structure. While the tissue biopsy can be done in a number
of ways, a special needle is usually used that, when deployed, takes
a small “core” or piece of tissue out of the body.
Stages
of Kidney Cancer
International TNM Staging System for Kidney Cancer is listed.
Kidney
Cysts
The simple kidney cyst is very common and has no risk of becoming
a kidney cancer. The other type of cyst is called a “complex
cyst.” The term “complex cyst” refers to a spectrum
of cysts that have different characteristics which may make them
suspicious for kidney cancer.
Prevention
of Kidney Cancer
There are no means that are specifically known to decrease the risk
of kidney cancer other than avoidance of exposure to chemicals and
radiation. However, as factors such as obesity, a high fat diet,
and hypertension are known to be associated with an increased risk
for kidney cancer, it is quite clear that a healthy diet, and a
healthy lifestyle, will most likely minimize the risk of developing
kidney cancer.
About
Dr. Landman
Dr. Landman is the Director of Minimally Invasive Urology at the
Department of Urology of Columbia University. He serves as a full
time faculty member of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, and is
the Director of the Columbia University Minimally Invasive Urologic
Oncology Fellowship.
Resources
References
News
Directions
Travel Directions to Dr. Landman's Office
Patient
Testimonials
Contact
Us
Contact us with any questions or comments you have for Dr. Landman Questions
and Answers
Answers and solutions for your questions about kidney cancer |
