Best Treatment For Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma occurs when cancerous cells are found in the kidney, affecting function and health. It is the most common kidney-related cancer and also one of the most lethal if not properly treated. If the cancerous cells remain only in the kidney, the survival rate is over 90 percent, but when it spreads outside the kidney, treatment can prove more complicated.

Surgical options.

The easiest and most effective way to treat renal cell carcinoma is to remove the kidney itself. Since people can survive with only one kidney, removing the cancerous kidney provides an effective solution not available in some other types of cancer. If the growth is extremely small, then cryotherapy or laser therapy can remove cells in a far less intrusive way.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy rarely finds use in renal cell carcinoma. Since the kidneys reside at the very end of the circulatory cycle, chemotherapy drugs enter at such a low toxicity that the cancerous cells are not usually affected. Greater doses work, but then the patient may suffer serious side effects. The effectiveness of chemotherapy in renal cell carcinoma is less than 15%.

Use of other medications.

Several other medications have shown promise in treating renal cell carcinoma. Doctors have the availability now of the drug Nexavar, widely used since 2004, which works by activating a gene that destroys protein creation, slowing or stopping the growth of the cancerous cells. These drugs, though effective, work best the earlier the cancer is detected.

Renal cell carcinoma is a terrible disease, and the earlier it is detected, the more successful the treatment. If you experience any signs, such as dark urine color, loin pain or unexplained weight loss, see a doctor immediately. Like many diseases, waiting to see what happens can cost dearly.

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