Kidney Cancer

Mass in Kidney: Is it a Cancer?

A human being has two kidneys whose main job is to remove waste products from blood by filtration. A mass or growth in kidney is an abnormal growth in the kidneys. These masses can be benign i.e. non cancerours or malignant i.e. cancerous growth. A proper evaluation by urologist helps you to find out the correct nature of disease.

Around 25% of the kidney masses are benign i.e. non cancerous in nature. Generally small masses are more likely to be benign in nature whereas large masses are likely to be malignant or cancerous in nature.

What are types of Kidney Masses?

Kidney Masses are classified in these two categories:

• Benign Kidney Tumors – These are present in around 20-25% of cases. These are non cancerous tumors i.e. do not spread to other organs. The examples of benign tumors are Renal adenoma, Angiomyolipoma, oncocytoma, fibroma and lipoma
• Malignant Kidney Tumors/ Kidney Cancer – Around 80% of kidney tumors are cancerous i.e. these spread to other organs. Renal Cell Carcinoma/ RCC is the most common form of kidney cancer found in adults. These can present as a single tumor or multiple tumors. Also there are further variants of this cancer which can be found in adults.
• In Children a unique form of kidney tumor presents which is known as Wilms Tumor. It is rarely present in adulthood. It is a cancerous growth in kidney.

What Causes Kidney Cancer?

Kidney Cancers are mostly associated with following risk factors:

1. Tobacco in form of smoking/ chewing etc
2. Obesity
3. Fat rich diet
4. High blood pressure
5. Patient on Hemodialysis
6. Heredity/ Genetic Causes (4-6%)
7. Diet with high junk food content

What are the Symptoms of a Kidney Cancer?

Kidney Cancers are largely asymptomatic in early phases and is often detected in early stages in the form of incidental findings as renal mass on ultrasound/ CT scans done for other ailments. It becomes symptomatic in advance stages of disease with following symptoms:

Flank pain

Heaviness in flank region/back

Hematuria – blood in urine

Weight loss

Loss of appetite

Fever

Anemia

How a kidney cancer is diagnosed?

Most of the kidney cancers are now detected as incidental findings on radiology investigations like ultrasound and CT scans.

If you are symptomatic with any of above symptoms; visit the urologist at the earliest. The urologist would evaluate with following:

• History & physical examination
• Routine blood workup with complete blood count, renal function test and liver function test
• Complete urine analysis
• Ultrasound Scan
• CT Urography
• Chest X Ray
• PET Scan/ Bone scan depending upon the stage of patient

Is Kidney Biopsy required for diagnosing Kidney Cancer?

No, generally kidney biopsy is not required in kidney cancer as the diagnosis is clearly evident on a good CT scan. It is now a days only done in cases who has spread to distant organs and whom surgical excision is not done.

What is Radical Nephrectomy?

Radical Nephrectomy is surgery for Kidney Cancer where whole of kidney is removed with all its covering layers. It is done by both open and Laparoscopic/ Minimally Invasive Approach.

Can Kidney be saved in Kidney Cancer? What is Partial Nephrectomy/ Nephron Sparing Surgery?

Now we can save the kidney of patient in cases of small kidney cancers (size <4 cm & in selected cases with size 4-7 cm). The surgery is known as Partial Nephrectomy or Nephron Sparing Surgery. This surgery can be done by both laparoscopic as well as open approach. Dr. Kshitij Bishnoi is well versed in management of kidney cancers and is trained at the high-volume center of India at PGI, Chandigarh in these surgeries.

We at Guru Jambheshwar Multispeciality Hospital, Agroha has dedicated Uro-oncological unit with expert Uro-oncosurgeon, Dr. Kshitij Bishnoi.

Parital Nephrectomy/Nephron Sparing Surgery Done by Dr. Kshitij Bishnoi

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy done by Dr. Kshitij Bishnoi

Radical Nephrectomy with Infilteration of Cancer in Inferior Vena Cava (Major Blood Vessel) Done by Dr. Kshitij Bishnoi