There Are Three Ways That Cancer Spreads In The Body
Cancer can spread through tissue, the lymph system, and the blood:
- Tissue. The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas.
- Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body.
- Blood. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood. The cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body.
The Following Stages Are Used For Renal Cell Cancer:
Stage I
In stage I, the tumor is 7 centimeters or smaller and is found in the kidney only.
Stage II
In stage II, the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters and is found in the kidney only.
Stage III
In stage III, one of the following is found:
- the cancer in the kidney is any size and cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or
- cancer has spread to blood vessels in or near the kidney , to the fat around the structures in the kidney that collect urine, or to the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney. Cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV
In stage IV, one of the following is found:
- cancer has spread beyond the layer of fatty tissue around the kidney and may have spread into the adrenal gland above the kidney with cancer or to nearby lymph nodes or
- cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, brain, adrenal glands, or distant lymph nodes.
Stage Information For Renal Cell Cancer
The staging system for renal cell cancer is based on the degree of tumor spreadbeyond the kidney. Involvement of blood vessels may not be a poorprognostic sign if the tumor is otherwise confined to the substance of thekidney. Abnormal liver function test results may be caused by a paraneoplasticsyndrome that is reversible with tumor removal, and these types of results do not necessarily representmetastatic disease. Except when computed tomography examination isequivocal or when iodinated contrast material is contraindicated, CT scanningis as good as or better than magnetic resonance imaging for detectingrenal masses.
Don’t Miss: Does Amelanotic Melanoma Blanch When Pressed
Potential New Therapeutic Approaches For Renal Cell Carcinoma
Summary: Renal cell carcinoma is increasing in incidence and one third of newly diagnosed cases already are metastatic. The metastatic spread of solid tumors renders RCC incurable by surgical resection and consequently more difficult to treat. New molecular-targeted therapies have played a pivotal role in RCC treatment. Unfortunately, tumors frequently develop resistance to these targeted therapies by activating bypass pathways in which alternative signaling or biochemical pathways are activated in response to targeted inhibition of a signaling pathway, allowing cancer cells to continue to survive. Although the advent of immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has led to significant changes in the treatment landscape for advanced RCC, many issues remain to be resolved. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapies and new treatment paradigms for patients with RCC. Much research has been performed thus far in identifying novel targets and treatment strategies in RCC and many of these currently are under investigation and/or in clinical trials. In this article, we discuss therapeutic options in the management of RCC with a focus on the new therapeutic approaches currently investigated in research and for use in the clinic. We divide these potential novel therapies into five groups: nonbiologics, small-molecule drugs, biologics, immunomodulatory therapies, and peptide drugs. We also present some therapeutics and treatment paradigms.
What Is Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, or ccRCC, is a type of kidney cancer. The kidneys are located on either side of the spine towards the lower back. The kidneys work by cleaning out waste products in the blood. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is also called conventional renal cell carcinoma.
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is named after how the tumor looks under the microscope. The cells in the tumor look clear, like bubbles.
Recommended Reading: Osteomyoma
Molecular Basis Of Clear Cell Rcc
Recent advances in the understanding of cancer as a genetic disease have allowed the identification of clonal genetic and epigenetic alterations, which accumulate during cancer progression, often in a general temporal order. However, relatively little is known about the secondary and later genetic alterations which drive progression after the initiating event of inactivation of VHL in clear cell RCC. Even less is known about the alterations that underlie the initiation and progression of sporadic papillary or chromophobe RCC, or the importance of different tumor suppressor and signaling pathways in renal cancer. It remains that much of what we know of the molecular basis of sporadic RCC arose from identification of the genes predisposing to inherited RCC .
With the exception of VHL, all these tumor suppressor genes appear to be inactivated in a minority of RCC, Indeed the number with clear evidence of inactivation of the retained allele by point mutation, homozygous deletion or hypermethylation is substantially less than the number with LOH. This may simply be due to not looking hard enough. The case of germline mutation of VHL is instructive because as investigators searched deeper for the second mutation, more were found . The target suppressor gene on several of the more frequently deleted chromosomal arms e.g. 6q, 8p or 14q in RCC have not yet been identified. Subtyping of RCC by tumor suppressor inactivation may prove important for prognostic stratification.
When To Get Medical Advice
See a GP if you have symptoms of kidney cancer.
Although it’s unlikely you have cancer, it’s 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.
Don’t Miss: Soderstrom Skin Cancer Screening
Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation can induce sustained regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in patients who have had no response to conventional immunotherapy. In one trial, 19 patients with refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had suitable donors received a preparative regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, followed by an infusion of peripheral blood stem cells from a human leukocyte antigen identical sibling or a sibling with a mismatch of a single HLA antigen. Patients with no response received as many as three infusions of donor lymphocytes.
Two patients died of transplantation-related causes, and eight died from progressive disease. In 10 patients , metastatic disease regressed three patients had a complete response, and seven had a partial response. The durations of these responses continue to be assessed. Further trials are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate long-term benefits.
Home Remedies And Lifestyle
While there isnt a specific diet or lifestyle plan for people living with kidney cancer, taking care of yourself may help you feel better.
Here are some general tips:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: Try to include these foods in every meal.
- Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Avoid alcohol: If you do decide to drink, do so in moderation.
- Dont smoke: Staying away from tobacco will lower your risk of having a cancer recurrence.
- Keep your medical appointments: Stay up to date on all your health screenings.
Also Check: Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma Survival Rate
Carcinoma Treatment And Therapy Options
Treatment for carcinoma varies depending on the type, location and extent of the disease, but may include:
Surgery: Depending on the type of cancer, carcinoma may be treated with the surgical removal of cancerous tissue, as well as some surrounding tissue. Minimally invasive surgical treatment methods may help to reduce healing time and reduce the risk of infection after surgery.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Advanced radiation therapies use image guidance before and during treatment on target tumors, and are designed to help spare healthy tissues and surrounding organs.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy treats carcinoma with drugs designed to destroy cancer cells, either throughout the whole body, or in a specific area. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy or surgery.
Expert
Renal Cell Carcinoma Staging
Doctors who diagnose and treat RCC and other types of cancer use a staging system. Each person with RCC is given a number designation ranging from 1 to 4. Stage 1 is the earliest stage of the disease and stage 4 is the latest and most advanced.
Staging for RCC is based on:
- size of the primary tumor in the kidney
- spread of cancerous cells from the primary tumor to nearby tissues
- degree of metastasis
- spread of the cancer to other organs in the body
Stage 4 RCC can include different combinations of staging criteria:
- When the primary tumor is large and has spread throughout the kidney and into nearby tissues. In this instance, the cancer cells may or may not have spread into other organs in the body.
- When the cancer has metastasized and is present in distant organs. In this case, the primary tumor may be of any size, and there may or may not be any cancer in the tissues immediately surrounding the kidney.
Recommended Reading: How To Identify Basal Cell Carcinoma
Renal Cell Carcinoma Treatment: Whats New And What’s Next
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Most treatments are focused on clear cell carcinoma, which is the most common subtype of this disease.
Often, patients who are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma when it is in its earliest stages can be successfully treated. But what are the treatment options for early-stage disease as well as renal cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body? How do you know which treatment is right for you?
Heres what to know about current treatment options and new approaches being explored through clinical trials.
Active surveillance for renal cell carcinoma
If renal cell carcinoma is growing slowly, active surveillance may be an option, says Pavlos Msaouel, M.D., Ph.D. Patients under active surveillance will have checkups every few months and undergo imaging exams to see if the tumor is growing or spreading.
Some patients may be hesitant to choose this option, in fear of cancer spreading unchecked. But Msaouel says regular checkups generally make active surveillance a safe option.
Surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy could be options if the cancer advances, depending on your specific diagnosis.
Surgery is an option when renal cell carcinoma hasnt spread
Surgery to remove the affected kidney offers the highest chance for successful treatment when cancer hasnt spread.
Your kidneys filter blood and waste in our bodies and help produce urine. Since we have two kidneys, its possible to live with one.
Patients Can Enter Clinical Trials Before During Or After Starting Their Cancer Treatment
Some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about clinical trials supported by NCI can be found on NCIs clinical trials search webpage. Clinical trials supported by other organizations can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Read Also: Does Amelanotic Melanoma Blanch When Pressed
Symptoms Of Renal Cell Carcinoma
cases of kidney cancer. RCC usually manifests as one tumor, but it may include two tumors. If there are two, they can both be in the same kidney or there can be one tumor in each.
Risk factors for this type of cancer include:
- a family history of RCC
- some hereditary kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease
- smoking
- obesity
Surgical treatment for RCC is often recommended, depending on what stage the cancer is at. The survival rate is fairly high if the cancer is caught early, with a five-year survival rate of
Signs Of Renal Cell Cancer Include Blood In The Urine And A Lump In The Abdomen
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by renal cell cancer or by other conditions. There may be no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Signs and symptoms may appear as the tumor grows. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Blood in the urine.
- A lump in the abdomen.
- A pain in the side that doesn’t go away.
Don’t Miss: How To Identify Basal Cell Carcinoma
Roswell Park Clinical Trial Highlights A Promising Drug Combination
As a National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Roswell Park has access to the latest drugs, including those available only in clinical trials. In 2015, based on the results of one clinical trial, the FDA approved a new immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, for patients with advanced kidney cancer who do not respond to standard treatment. Results of a new clinical trial suggest that combining this immunotherapy drug with a second one, ipilimumab, can be even more effective.
The CheckMate 214 trial enrolled nearly 1,100 patients with advanced or metastatic RCC from 182 locations throughout the world, including Roswell Park. During the study, half of the patients received combination immunotherapy, while the other half received standard treatment with sunitinib, a targeted drug commonly used to treat advanced RCC.
Never miss another Cancer Talk blog!
Sign up to receive our monthly Cancer Talk e-newsletter.
Remarkably, we found that when used together, nivolumab and ipilimumab reduced the risk of death by 32% in the entire study population and by an even more impressive 37% in a group of patients whose initial outlook was unfavorable. In other words, RCC patients who received immunotherapy tended to respond better and survive longer than those who received standard treatment.
Causes Of Kidney Cancer
The exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, but some things can increase your chances of getting it, including:
- family history you’re more likely to get kidney cancer if you have a close relative with it
- some inherited genetic conditions
- long-term dialysis a treatment for chronic kidney disease where a machine does some of the jobs of the kidneys
Keeping to a healthy weight, a healthy blood pressure and not smoking is the best way to reduce your chances of getting kidney cancer.
Read Also: Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin Metastasis
Targeted Drug Therapy For Kidney Cancer
As researchers learn more about the changes in cells that cause cancer, they have developed drugs that target some of these changes. These targeted drugs are different from standard chemotherapy drugs. They sometimes work when standard chemo drugs dont, and they often have different side effects.
Targeted drugs are proving to be especially important in kidney cancer, where chemotherapy has not been shown to be very effective.
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
Read Also: Does Skin Cancer Burn And Itch
Mind & Body Therapies
These combine mental focus, breathing, and body movements to help relax the body and mind. Some examples are:
- Meditation: Focused breathing or repetition of words or phrases to quiet the mind
- Biofeedback: Using simple machines, the patient learns how to affect certain body functions that are normally out of one’s awareness
- Hypnosis: A state of relaxed and focused attention in which a person concentrates on a certain feeling, idea, or suggestion to aid in healing
- Yoga: Systems of stretches and poses, with special attention given to breathing
- Tai Chi: Involves slow, gentle movements with a focus on the breath and concentration
- Imagery: Imagining scenes, pictures, or experiences to help the body heal
- Creative outlets: Interests such as art, music, or dance
Grades Of Kidney Cancer
Grade means how much the cancer cells look like normal cells. A specialist looks at the cells under a microscope. The pathologist will look at the centre of the cell and the size and shape of the cells.
The more the cancer cells look like normal cells, the lower the grade. They tend to grow more slowly and are less likely to spread to another part of the body .
The less the cancer cells look like normal cells, the higher the grade. They tend to grow more quickly and are more likely to spread to another part of the body.
Kidney cancers are graded 1-4. This is called the Fuhrman system. Grade 1 is the lowest grade, and grade 4 is the highest grade.
The grade tells your doctor how the cancer might behave and what treatment you need. The main factor for deciding on the best treatment is whether your cancer has spread away from the kidney or not.
-
European Association of Urology website, accessed February 2020
-
Cancer and its management J Tobias and D HochhauserWiley-Blackwell, 2015
-
AJCC Cancer Staging Manual Eighth EditionAmerican Joint Committee on Cancer,Springer, 2017
Read Also: What Is The Most Aggressive Skin Cancer
What Can I Do
First, work with your doctor to figure out how to best treat it. Even if it canât be cured, you may be able to slow it down and manage your symptoms with surgery, medicine, and other treatments.
You can also do a lot on your own to feel better physically and emotionally:
Pace yourself. Cancer, and even some of its treatments, can wipe you out. Try to keep your days simple and save your energy for the important activities. And donât be shy about resting when you need to.
Speak your symptoms. Your doctor can help with all kinds of common problems from cancer and its treatments, like constipation, upset stomach, and pain. But only if you say something about them. Check in with your doctor often to get the care you need.
Stay active. Exercise lifts your energy and helps you fight off anxiety, depression, and stress. Ask your doctor whatâs safe for you to do.
Tend to your body. Along with regular exercise, try to stick to a healthy diet and get the rest you need. If you donât feel like eating much, a dietitian might be able to help.
Find ways to relax. Itâll keep your mood and energy up. Take time to read a book, go for a walk, call a friend, get a massage, or try some meditation. Or all of the above. Go with works best for you.
Work with your doctor, and try to stay positive. There are more ways to treat the condition than ever before. Your doctor can help you think about which ones are best for you.
Mayo Clinic: âKidney Cancer.â