Each year, kidney cancer is diagnosed in about 190,000 people
worldwide.1Kidney cancer is slightly more common in men
and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70
years.2 It is important to realize that with early
diagnosis and treatment, kidney cancer can be cured. In fact, if
found early, the survival rate ranges from 79 to 100
percent.3
A kidney tumor is an abnormal growth in the kidney. The terms
"mass," "lesion," and "tumor" are often used interchangeably.
Tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The
most common kidney mass is a fluid-filled area called a cyst.
Simple cysts are benign, do not turn into cancer and usually do not
require follow-up care. Solid kidney tumors can be benign, but are
cancerous more than 90 percent of the time.3
It is possible that kidney cancer can grow into the renal vein
and vena cava. The renal vein is the kidney's primary draining vein
and the vena cava is the vein that takes blood to the heart. The
portion of the cancer that extends into these veins is called
"tumor thrombus." Imaging studies, such as an MRI, can help to find
out if tumor thrombus is present.
For a tumor to grow and spread, it must stimulate new blood
vessels to provide the tumor with nutrients and oxygen. This
process, known as angiogenesis. Kidney cancers are considered very
angiogenic and are very efficient at travelling through the blood
vessels in the body. They do this by secreting a protein called
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF acts on nearby
blood vessels and stimulates them to sprout new vessels to supply
the tumor.3
Kidney cancer can form in the small tubes inside the kidney.
Those tubes are located in the center of the kidney where urine
collects and used to filter blood. The most common kidney cancer is
called renal cell carcinoma.
Causes & Risk Factors
Researchers have found several risk factors that make you more
likely to develop kidney cancer. The following may increase your
risk of developing kidney cancer:3
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Chronic kidney failure and/or dialysis
- Diet with high caloric intake or fried/sautéed meat
- Von Hippel Lindau disease (rare genetic disorder that causes
tumor growths)
- Tuberous sclerosis (common genetic condition that produces
growths in the body from birth throughout adulthood)
Symptoms
Unfortunately, kidney cancer does not have early symptoms but
you should see your doctor if you notice the
following:3
- Blood in your urine
- Lump in your abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain in your side
- Loss of appetite
If cancer spreads (metastasizes) beyond the kidney, symptoms
depend on the organ involved. Shortness of breath or coughing up
blood may occur when cancer is in the lung. Bone pain or fractures
may occur when cancer is in the bone. When cancer is in the brain,
you may have neurologic symptoms.
In some cases, kidney cancer causes related conditions called
paraneoplastic syndromes. These syndromes occur in about 20 percent
of kidney cancer patients and can occur in any stage, including
cancers confined to the kidney. Symptoms from paraneoplastic
syndromes include weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, sweats and
high blood pressure. In many cases, the paraneoplastic syndrome
improves or disappears after the cancer is removed.
Screening and Testing for Kidney Cancer
Unfortunately, there are no blood or urine tests that detect
kidney cancer. When kidney cancer is suspected, your doctor will
order a kidney imaging study. The initial imaging study is usually
an ultrasound or CT scan. In some cases, a combination of imaging
studies may be needed to completely evaluate the
tumor.3
If cancer is suspected, you should be evaluated to see if it has
spread beyond the kidney (metastasized). An evaluation consists of
imaging studies such as an ultrasound or CT scan. These tests may
be followed by an MRI, X-rays and blood tests. You may also need a
bone scan if you have had bone pain, recent fractures, or abnormal
blood tests. Additional tests may be ordered if your doctor feels
they are needed to completely evaluate the tumor.
Treatment
The primary treatment option for kidney cancer is surgery to
remove all or part of the kidney and the tumor; kidney cancer does
not respond well to radiation and chemotherapy
treatments.4
Radical Nephrectomy Versus Partial Nephrectomy
(Kidney-Sparing)
The removal of the entire kidney is called a radical
nephrectomy. Depending on your disease state and tumor
location, you may not have to lose your entire kidney to surgery.
Another surgical option called partial
nephrectomy aims to remove only the diseased part of your
kidney and spare the healthy, functioning kidney tissue.
Sparing kidney tissue is important because studies show that
patients who have their entire kidney removed are more likely to
suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) after surgery compared to
patients who receive a kidney sparing partial
nephrectomy.5
In fact, the American Urological Association states that partial
nephrectomy is the gold standard treatment option for small to
medium-sized kidney tumors or masses.4 In the
appropriate patient the cure rate equals radical nephrectomy.
The da Vinci Surgical System uses state-of-the-art
technology to help your doctor provide the gold standard treatment,
where indicated, and also perform a more precise
operation. da Vinci offers several potential benefits
to patients facing kidney surgery, including:
- Excellent clinical outcomes and cancer control7
- Short hospital stay8
- Low blood loss7,8
- Precise tumor removal and kidney
reconstruction8,9
- Excellent chance of preserving the kidney, in certain
operations9
- Low rate of operative complications9
If your doctor is able to preserve your healthy, functioning
kidney tissue, this can help to prevent future kidney disease and
even dialysis.
This procedure is performed using the da Vinci Surgical
System, a state-of-the-art surgical platform. By overcoming the
limits of both traditional open and laparoscopic
surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of
surgery for people around the world.
* In Nephrectomy, one incision is enlarged for removal of the
kidney.
Are You a Candidate for da Vinci Surgery?
The following physicians are trained to use the da Vinci
Surgical System at Lourdes for partial nephrectomy
procedures:
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Broome Urological Associates
DePaul Pavilion
169 Riverside Drive
Binghamton, NY
607-729-7666
www.broomeurology.com
|
Only you and your doctor can decide if da Vinci Surgery may
be right for you.
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Huang WC, Elkin EB, Levey AS, Jang TL, Russo P; Partial
Nephrectomy Versus Radical Nephrectomy in Patients With Small Renal
Tumors-Is there a Difference in Mortality and Cardiovascular
Outcomes; The Journal of Urology, Vol. 181, 55-62, January
2009
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Kunkle D, Egleston B, Uzzo R; Excise, Ablate or Observe: The
Small Renal Mass Dilemma - A Meta Analysis and Review. The Journal
of Urology, Vol. 179, 1227-1234, April 2008
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Benway BM, Wang AJ, Cabello JC, Bhayani SB; Robotic Partial
Nephrectomy with Sliding-Clip Renorrhaphy: Technique and Outcomes;
European Association of Urology, Accepted December 28, 2008.
Published online ahead of print on January 7, 2009
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Rogers CG, Menon M, Weise ES, Robotic partial nephrectomy: a
multi-institutional analysis; J Robotic Surgery (2008) 2:141-143
DOI 10.1007/s11701-008-0098-2
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Bhayani SB, Das N., Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial
nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma. BMC Surgery 2008,
8:16 doi:10.1186/1471-2482-8-16.
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of
the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally
invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no
guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major
complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment
options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment
can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.
Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be
appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your
condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as
well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine
whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your
situation. The clinical information and opinions,
including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by
patients or doctorsabout da Vinci Surgery, are
not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be
considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your
doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights
reserved.
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