Common Prevention Methods And Treatments For Kidney Cancer
The kidneys, two organs that sit on either side of the spine in the middle of the back, filter waste, salt, and excess water from the blood. These substances then exit the body through urine. Kidney cancer develops when one of the kidneys becomes damaged, causing the cells’ DNA growth and replication sections to be majorly altered. This causes the affected kidney cells to multiply rapidly, forming a tumor. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Serious warning signs of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, appetite loss, intermittent fever, fatigue, unusual weight loss, ankle and leg swelling, bone pain, and kidney pain.
Kidney cancer is very serious and requires extensive treatment. Kidney cancer medications are available, including intense renal cell carcinoma treatment drugs. Due to the pain of this cancer, many patients take kidney pain relief medication along with their treatment.
Get Rid Of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure causes damage to the artery walls, which is then healed with tough scar tissue. High blood pressure affects the arteries that supply the kidneys with oxygen-rich blood. Thus, when they narrow and stiffen, the kidneys don’t receive enough blood. If they don’t receive enough blood for all tissues, the kidneys cannot function the way they are meant to. The increased pressure also leads to oxidative stress in the kidneys, which is a serious risk factor for kidney cancer. Thus, lowering blood pressure to avoid these fearsome effects is important.
A healthy diet for lowering blood pressure includes consuming less salt and avoiding refined carbohydrates. It also means going for low-fat dairy and getting lots of fruits and vegetables. It takes time for healthy diet choices for blood pressure to show results. Thus, doctors prescribe blood pressure medication for patients. Of course, everyone must follow the directions given to them by their doctor. Not doing so can have serious consequences and undesired side effects.
Uncover the details on how weight works in preventing and treating kidney cancer now.
Lose Excess Weight
More than 25 percent of kidney cancer cases in the U.S. are related to weight. Specifically, they are related to people who are overweight or obese. Carrying excess weight also increases blood pressure, so patients must deal with this additional risk as well. Those who are overweight have more blood passing through the filters in their kidneys than someone who is of a normal weight. More renal plasma flows through the kidneys of those who are overweight as well. This results in more opportunities for substances to damage kidney cells. More cellular damage in the kidneys increases the risk of kidney cancer.
This means losing weight is vital. This not only prevents kidney cancer, but also makes treatments more tolerable. The two components of losing weight are diet and exercise. Eating whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy is a great start. Of course, more is needed to have a shot at losing excess weight. Everyone needs to get regular exercise. People who already exercise and still need to lose weight need even more exercise to see results.
Understand the first-line treatment used for kidney cancer next.
Surgery: Nephrectomy
A nephrectomy involves the total or partial removal of the affected kidney to treat the cancer. This form of surgery is used in two ways: as symptom treatment only, or for curative purposes. This is the preferred treatment option for kidney cancer. A partial surgery removes the cancerous part of the kidney but allows the other tissue to remain. Partial surgery is for patients whose cancer has not spread. That said, the tumor being removed must be in a favorable position for this to even be possible. If it’s not, a radical nephrectomy is required.
A radical procedure means the kidney is completely removed. But it is not the only thing that must be removed. This occurs along with the removal of surrounding fatty tissues, nearby lymph nodes, and the attached renal gland. It is a serious procedure and has a significant recovery time attached. A radical nephrectomy is recommended for cases where kidney cancer has spread beyond one of the kidneys.
Learn about a surgery alternative for kidney cancer next.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is an outpatient procedure, meaning patients do not have to stay at the hospital overnight. This procedure uses CT scans and ultrasounds to locate the kidney tumor. Once located, a thin probe is inserted through the skin and into the tumor. High-energy radio waves are then passed to the tumor. These waves produce heat that then damages and even kills the cancerous cells.
This treatment is minimally invasive and doesn’t damage other tissues like surgery and chemotherapy. Major complications from this kind of procedure are rare, but patients must take precautions all the same. This means regular check-ins with their doctor.
Discover another type of ablation used for kidney cancer next.
Cryoablation
Cryoablation has been proven to shrink kidney tumors. This procedure uses a long needle that is inserted through the skin and into the tumor. The doctor will use imaging methods like CT scans to guide them. This shows distinct similarities to radiofrequency ablation. However, cryoablation uses cold gases in the probe to produce a sphere of ‘ice’ on its tip. This cold gas is what damages and kills the cancerous cells. It freezes them to death.
Most patients who receive cryoablation return home the day of the procedure or the day after. This means the treatment is also fairly minimally invasive. In addition, it does not cause the same damage as a nephrectomy.
