How Fast Does Renal Cell Carcinoma Spread

Renal Cell Carcinoma Support Groups And Counseling

Living with cancer presents many new challenges, both for the people with cancer and for their family and friends.

• People with cancer probably have many worries about how the cancer will affect them and their ability to “live a normal life,” to care for their family and home, to hold their job, and to continue the friendships and activities they enjoy.
• Many people feel anxious and depressed. Some people feel angry and resentful others feel helpless and defeated.

For most people with cancer, talking about their feelings and concerns helps.

• Friends and family members can be very supportive. They may be hesitant to offer support until they see how someone is coping. If people with cancer want to talk about their concerns, they should let someone know.
• Some people do not want to “burden” their loved ones, or prefer talking about their concerns with a more neutral professional. A social worker, a counselor, or a member of the clergy can be helpful if they want to discuss their feelings and concerns about having cancer. A surgeon or an oncologist should be able to recommend someone.
• Many people with cancer are helped profoundly by talking to other people who have cancer. Sharing concerns with others who have been through the same thing can be remarkably reassuring. Support groups of people with cancer may be available through the medical center where treatment was received. The American Cancer Society also has information about support groups all over the United States.

Is Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Aggressive

Like all carcinomas, ccRCC can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of your body. Metastatic cancer is more difficult to treat. Compared to other kidney cancers, the clear cell type of renal cell carcinoma tends to be more aggressive and spread faster.

Renal cell carcinoma most commonly spreads to the:

• Lymph nodes .

What Exams And Tests Diagnose Renal Cell Carcinoma

Only 10% of people with renal cell cancer have the classic specific symptoms, such as blood in the urine, or a lump or pain in the side. Other people have no symptoms or only vague, nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue or just not feeling well. Still, others have no symptoms at all. A health care provider will gather many different types of information to make a diagnosis. This process includes ruling out conditions that cause similar symptoms. If urinary symptoms occur, referral to a urologist may be necessary.

The following steps may be taken for a health care provider to make a correct diagnosis:

Imaging Studies

Several imaging studies are used to evaluate and stage renal masses.

Lab Tests

The following lab tests are performed to look for paraneoplastic syndromes, to rule out other conditions, and to evaluate a person’s overall health before beginning treatment.

• Urine analysis
• Blood tests – Blood cell counts, chemistry, liver, and kidney function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time also called PT and PTT.

Also Check: Cancer All Over Body Symptoms

How Is Ccrcc Treated

Treatments for people with ccRCC include surgery and immunotherapy. Treatment will depend on how much the cancer has grown.

Surgery: Once ccRCC is diagnosed, you may have surgery to remove the cancer and part of the kidney surrounding it. In early stage ccRCC, part of the kidney with the cancer is taken out. If ccRCC is in the middle of the kidney, or if the tumor is large, sometimes the entire kidney must be removed. In later stage ccRCC, removal of the kidney is controversial but may be appropriate in some patients.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the bodys immune system fight the cancer cells.

Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy targets the changes in cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. Some targeted therapies that are used to treat clear cell renal carcinoma include cabozantinib, axitinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, and pazopanib.

Other treatments can be used that do not involve removing the kidney, such as:

• Radiation therapy, which uses radiation to kill the tumor cells
• Thermal ablation, which uses heat to kill the tumor cells
• Crysosurgery, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill the tumor cells

Calculation Of Tumor Growth Rate

Calculation of tumor growth rate was based on two assumptions:

Annual tumor growth rate was calculated by dividing tumors largest diameter measured on the diagnostic computerized tomography by the time interval between the normal imaging studies to diagnosis of kidney tumor. The dependency of the growth rate on the following parameters was studied: patients age and gender, type of previous imaging study showing normal kidney , Fuhrmans grade and recurrence . A 2-tailed the Students t test and analysis of variance were used for comparing the variables and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The JMP software was used for data processing.

Don’t Miss: Prognosis For Skin Cancer

What Is Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma, or RCC, is the most common kidney cancer. RCC accounts for approximately 9 out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses. Renal is the Latin word for kidney. Carcinoma is the medical term for cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ.

RCC develops in the cells lining the small tubes that help your kidneys filter waste from the blood. The urinary system removes this waste from the body. You may also hear the terms renal cell cancer or renal cell adenocarcinoma.

When To Get Medical Advice

See a GP if you have symptoms of kidney cancer.

Although its unlikely you have cancer, its important to get your symptoms checked out.

The GP will ask about your symptoms and may test a sample of your urine to see if it contains blood or an infection.

If necessary, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for further tests to find out what the problem is.

Also Check: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Survival Rate Stage 1

Early Stages Of Kidney Cancer

Once kidney cancer is confirmed, your medical team will determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is based on how much or how little the cancer has spread.

• Stage 1 means the cancer is only in the kidney, and the tumor is 7 centimeters long or smaller.
• Stage 2 means the cancer is still contained to the kidney, but the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters.

Questions For Your Doctor

You and your healthcare provider need to work together. Here are some questions to start the conversation.

• Do I have kidney cancer?
• Has my cancer spread beyond my kidneys?
• Can my kidney cancer be cured?
• What are my treatment options?
• How long will treatment last?
• Are there any risks or side effects associated with my treatment?
• What will my recovery be like?
• How long will it take for me to recover from treatment?
• What are the chances of cancer coming back?
• Should I also see a nephrologist ?
• Will you be partnering with a nephrologist about my care?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• How much experience do you have treating this kind of cancer?
• Are there any clinical trials I should think about?

Read Also: Metastatic Skin Cancer Pictures

Rare Types Of Kidney Cancer

Rare kidney cancers occur most frequently in children, teenagers, and young adults.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma

• 15% of all renal cell carcinomas
• Tumor located in the kidney tubes
• Type 1 PRCC is more common and grows slowly
• Type 2 PRCC is more aggressive and grows more quickly

Translocation renal cell carcinoma

• Accounts for 1% to 5% of all renal cell carcinomas and 20% of childhood caces
• Tumor located in the kidney
• In children, TRCC usually grows slowly often without any symptoms
• In adults, TRCC tends to be agressive and fast-growing

Where Does Metastatic Kidney Cancer Spread

The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, begins growing in the kidney and then it can spread to the surrounding tissues and organs. The most common locations where kidney cancer spreads are the lymph nodes, lungs, and bones, says, Randy F. Sweis, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at University of Chicago Medicine. In scarier cases, it can spread to the brain or liver. Where it spreads depends on the specific cancer in the individuals body, says Dr. Sweis.

Recommended Reading: Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer Survival Rate

What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer may not produce any noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as the tumor grows, symptoms may begin to appear. For that reason, kidney cancer is often not diagnosed until it has begun to spread.

Symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

• Blood in the urine .
• A lump or mass in the kidney area.
• Pain in the side.
• A general sense of not feeling well.
• Loss of appetite and/or weight.
• Low-grade fever.
• Anemia .

What Kind Of Cancer Can A Dog Have

You may notice: As his kidneys begin to fail, your dog may also have: Not much is known about what causes kidney cancer in dogs. The cancer doesnt prefer a breed or gender, with the exception of German Shepherds, who are predisposed to a syndrome known as renal cystadenocarcinomas. If your dog is acting strange, take him straight to the vet.

Renal carcinoma is the most common renal tumor in dogs, but other epithelial tumors include ADC, TCC, and SCC Nephroblastoma is a congenital renal tumor with both epithelial and mesenchymal components Benign tumors have been reported but, except for hemangioma, are usually asymptomatic and incidental findings

Also Check: Is Orange Juice Good For Kidney Disease

Don’t Miss: Stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Survival Rate

What Does A Kidney Tumor Feel Like

A mass or lump around your abdomen

A mass or lump in the abdomen, side, or back can also be a sign of kidney cancer. It can feel like a hard, thickening, or bulging bump under the skin. About 45 percent of people with RCC have an abdominal mass. But kidney lumps are hard to feel, especially in the early stages.

Treatment Plans May Vary

Some kidney tumor patients can safely delay treatment or not undergo treatment at all and instead opt for careful monitoring with a biopsy and periodic CT scans once or twice a year. This is called active surveillance. Active surveillance is something that only recently evolved into practice, says Dr. George. It can be an important option for patients with low-risk kidney cancer because they could face more problems from treatment and its side effects than from the disease itself.

For cancers that are growing quickly or have already spread throughout the body, surgery may be required. A radical or partial nephrectomy is a procedure that removes all or part of the kidney. Patients who are unable to undergo surgery may require ablation therapy to destroy the tumor with radio waves, very cold gas or heat produced by microwaves.

While different types of kidney cancer can spread at different rates, it is essential to consult with a multidisciplinary team of experts that guide you to your best course of treatment.

Why Roswell Park for Kidney Cancer Treatment?

Find out what sets Roswell Park apart when it comes to kidney cancer treatment.

Read Also: Non Invasive Breast Cancer Survival Rate

Other Types Of Cancerous Kidney Tumors

Renal Cell Carcinoma makes up 95% of kidney tumors. Less common types of cancerous tumors in the kidney include:

• Urothelial Carcinoma: arise from the renal pelvis and resemble bladder cancer cells. These are genetically similar to urothelial cancer of the bladder and have similar risk factors such as cigarette smoking and occupational exposures to certain cancer-causing chemicals.
• Wilms Tumor: a rare pediatric malignancy in children 2-5.
• Renal Sarcoma: a rare type of kidney cancer arising from the connective tissue.
• Benign Kidney Tumors

Some types of kidney tumors are benign meaning they do not have the ability to spread . Often these are treated unnecessarily. The UCLA Kidney Cancer Program is committed to identification and observation of these tumors:

• Renal Adenoma: small, slow growing, benign tumors < 1 cm.
• Oncocytoma: a renal tumor that can grow large but not spread. It often resembles kidney cancer on a biopsy. The UCLA Kidney Cancer Program has molecular imaging modalities to identify these types of tumors non-invasively.
• Angiomyolipoma: a benign tumor containing fat, vessels, and muscle. When large they can bleed so treatment is advised when > 4 cm.

Stage Iii Renal Cell Cancer Treatment

Stage III renal cell cancer is defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancerâs TNM classification system:

• T1, N1, M0

Treatment information for patients whose disease has the following classification:

• T3a, N0, M0

Radical resection is the accepted, often curative, therapy for stage III renalcell cancer. The operation includes removal ofthe kidney, adrenal gland, perirenal fat, and Gerotaâs fascia, with or withouta regional lymph node dissection. Lymphadenectomy is commonly employed, butits effectiveness has not been definitively proven. External-beam radiationtherapy has been given before or after nephrectomy without conclusive evidence thatthis improves survival when compared with the results of surgery alone however, it may be ofbenefit in selected patients with more extensive tumors.

Inpatients with bilateral stage T3a neoplasms ,bilateral partial nephrectomy or unilateral partial nephrectomy withcontralateral radical nephrectomy, when technically feasible, may be a preferredalternative to bilateral nephrectomy with dialysis or transplantation.

In patients who arenot candidates for surgery, arterial embolization can provide palliation.

Treatment information for patients whose disease has the following classification:

• T3b, N0, M0

In patients who are not candidates forsurgery, arterial embolization can provide palliation.

Treatment information for patients whose disease has the following classifications:

• T1, N1, M0

You May Like: Basal Cell Melanoma Prognosis

What Will Happen After Treatment

Youll be glad when treatment is over. But its hard not to worry about cancer coming back. Even when cancer never comes back, people still worry about it. For years after treatment ends, you will see your cancer doctor. Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits. You will have exams, blood tests, and maybe other tests to see if the cancer has come back.

At first, your visits may be every 3 to 6 months. Then, the longer youre cancer-free, the less you will need to go. After 5 years, they may be done once a year.

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or talk to your cancer care team to find out what you can do to feel better.

You cant change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life making healthy choices and feeling as good as you can.

Treatments For Kidney Cancer

The treatment for kidney cancer depends on the size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of your body.

The main treatments are:

• surgery to remove part or all of the affected kidney this is the main treatment for most people
• cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation where the cancerous cells are destroyed by freezing or heating
• biological therapies medicines that help stop the cancer growing or spreading
• embolisation a procedure to cut off the blood supply to the cancer
• radiotherapy using high-energy radiation to target cancer cells and relieve symptoms

You May Like: Survival Rate Of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

What Additional Tests Do I Need Before I Can Start Treatment

A scan of your body will be needed to know exactly where the tumor is located before you begin treatment, says Dr. Sweis. Then, after starting treatment, your physician will do additional scans to evaluate these spots, checking if they shrunk. Most new cancer treatments will require a few tests for safety purposes. Blood tests that evaluate your liver function, kidney function, and blood counts are needed to ensure your body will be able to process the drug therapy, adds Dr. Sweis.

Recommended Reading: Is Watermelon Good For Kidneys

How Doctors Assess The Spreading Rate Of Kidney Cancer

The different stages of cancer are considered to be the most reliable indicators of knowing the treatment course and the patients survival chances. The early the stage of the disease, the better the chances of treating it. The stages of kidney cancer are:

Stage I: Cancer cells found in minimal numbers only in the kidney.

Stage II: Cancerous tissue develops in the kidney, but does not affect bloodstream.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to the blood and lymph node.

Stage IV: Cancer becomes metastatic .

Also Read: Heres All That You Should Eat During Cancer Treatment

Read Also: Is Melanoma Bad

How Fast Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spread

Squamous cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes , and when spreading does occur, it typically happens slowly. Indeed, most squamous cell carcinoma cases are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed beyond the upper layer of skin. There are various types of squamous cell carcinoma and some tend to spread more quickly than others.

Also Check: Large Cell Carcinoma Definition

How Serious Is Renal Cell Carcinoma

Although its a serious disease, finding and treating it early makes it more likely that youll be cured. No matter when youre diagnosed, you can do certain things to ease your symptoms and feel better during your treatment. Most people who have renal cell carcinoma are older, usually between ages 50 and 70.

You May Like: Can You Die From Basal Cell Skin Cancer

Read Also: What Type Of Skin Cancer Spreads The Fastest

Chemo For Kidney Cancer

Chemo is the short word for chemotherapy which are drugs to fight cancer. The drugs may be given into a vein or taken as pills. These drugs go into the blood and spread through the body. They kill cells that grow fast, such as cancer cells and even good cells, like those in the gut and hair. Chemo is given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment is followed by a break. Chemo doesnt work well for kidney cancer, but it may be tried if other treatments dont work.

Side effects of chemo

Chemo can make you feel tired, sick to your stomach, or cause your hair to fall out. But these problems go away after treatment ends.

There are ways to treat most chemo side effects. If you have side effects, be sure to tell your cancer care team so they can help.