Renal cell carcinoma
Alternative names:
adenocarcinoma of renal cells; cancer of the kidney; hypernephroma; kidney cancer; renal cancer
Treatment:
Surgical removal of all or part of the kidney (nephrectomy) is recommended. This may include removal of the bladder or surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy may be used to reduce the cancer's spread (metastasis), but a renal cell carcinoma is often resistant to radiation. It may be attempted before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Hormonal therapy may reduce the growth of the tumor in some cases.
Medications such as alpha-interferon and interleukin have been successful in reducing the growth of some renal cell carcinomas, including some with metastasis. Chemotherapy may be used in some cases, and it's results vary.
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group and kidney disease - support group.
Expectations (prognosis):
The outcome varies depending on the amount of metastasis. The 5-year survival, rate is around 60 to 75% if the tumor is in the early stages. If it has spread to the lymph nodes, 5-year survival is around 5 to 15%. If it has spread to other organs The probable outcome is poor, with 5-year survival at less than 5%.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider any time blood in the urine develops. Also call if any other symptoms of this disorder occur.
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