Common Prevention Methods And Treatments For Kidney Cancer

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.