Kidney Cancer

What is kidney cancer?

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine. Kidney cancer is also known as renal cell carcinoma, and the cause of cancer is unknown but certain lifestyle and risk factors can contribute. This includes smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a family history of the disease. Kidney cancer typically appears in patients over the age of 65, and men are twice as likely than women to experience this.

What are the different types of kidney cancer?

Cancer can begin in one or both of the kidneys forming a tumor, it can grow in one spot (benign) or spread to other parts of the body (malignant). Depending on the growth of the cells, there are several types of kidney cancer. Some of these types are:

Renal cell carcinoma- the most common type
Urothelial carcinoma
Sarcoma
Wilms tumor
Lymphoma

What are the signs or symptoms of kidney cancer?

It is important to know the symptoms may be caused by other conditions and vary from person to person. Some individuals have reported not experiencing symptoms until an early detection spotted the beginning signs. Common signs of the disease include:

Pain in the lower back or side
A lump or mass growing in the abdomen
Blood in urine when peeing
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling fatigue and less energy
Nausea and fever

Treating Kidney Cancer

There are more than 80 thousand new cases of kidney cancer every year in the US. It’s often found incidentally; however, the biggest sign is blood in the urine. “If you ever see blood in your urine, you must go to the doctor right away and get that checked out, because we need to find whatever is causing it early before it has a chance to grow and spread.” If it’s caught early when it’s small, the best treatment is removing the cancerous mass. “20 or 30 years ago, the average person with kidney cancer would have a gigantic open incision. Very painful, very difficult recovery and they would almost always lose their kidney if there was a kidney cancer there,” said Lee Health’s Dr. Joseph Klink. Thanks to Lee Health’s new Da Vinci robot, surgeons like Dr. Klink can remove the mass in a minimally invasive manner. “Now with a modern Da Vinci robot, especially the SP robot, we can do the same surgery through a very small hole. Minimally invasive and people go home the next day after surgery. There’s a quick recovery and they can keep the kidney.” The procedure is called a robotic partial nephrectomy. “We cut out just the mass, leave the kidney in place, because obviously you need your kidney to function for the rest of your life. If your kidneys don’t function, you need to go on dialysis. By leaving the kidney in place, we hope to be able to avoid dialysis for most people,” said Dr. Klink. If the tumor does take up most of the kidney, it may need to be removed, but that can still be done minimally invasively using the robot. You can learn more by searching for kidney cancer on leehealth.org.

How is kidney cancer treated?

Treatment options rely on a number of variables, such as the cancer's stage, cell type, potential side effects, patient preferences, and general health. Talk with your urologic oncologist about the different treatment options for you. Your treatment plan may include one of the following:

Robotic Kidney Surgery
Non-surgical treatment
Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy

Imaging Tests: Diagnosing Kidney Cancer

Your doctor will recommend one of the following imaging tests to view the kidney. These imaging tests will determine the kidney tumor's attributes and determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

CT scans use a computer to combine multiple x-rays to create a 3-D image of soft tissue, bones, organs and blood vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is a painless imaging procedure used to help your physician diagnose a wide variety of conditions. In many cases, it provides different information about structures within the body that can’t be viewed through other imaging procedures.

A Robotic Approach to Treating Kidney Cancer

Kidney is among the top 10 most common cancer diagnoses in the United States. It’s often found in those over 65 and men are twice as likely as women to experience it. However, if it’s discovered in the earlier stages, “Removal of the kidney is generally the only treatment that is needed. It’s only in the later stages that we talk about some of the systemic treatments.”

Urologist Dr. Chase Cavayero uses a cutting-edge surgical robot to remove the cancerous tumor from the kidney. “We’re making several small incisions on the abdomen in order to remove just a tumor rather than making a large incision and keep him in the hospital for an extra day or two.”

The robot allows for wrist articulation for suturing and gives surgeons ultimate control in small spaces. “Another advantage is many of the systems have 3-D visualization and magnification. You really get a wonderful picture, even better than just looking at it with your own two eyes,” said Dr. Cavayero.

While the robot provides a helping hand to doctors, the true beneficiary are the patients. “The recovery tends to be quicker. The blood loss is less. In general, their overall outcomes are improved with the use of minimally invasive technology,” said Dr. Cavayero. “More than that it’s just going home and getting back to their normal routine.”

Kidney cancer treatment at the Lee Health Cancer Institute

In an uncertain time, the Lee Health Cancer Institute provides unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge treatment and access to innovative technology. But above all else – it’s the human connection and commitment that sets us apart.

When you come to us, our staff gets together in one room to review your case. We go over all the details with you right next to us – after all, you are the most valued member of the team.

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Cancer Treatment Center for Southwest Florida

The Lee Health Cancer Institute is helping patients all around Florida. If you are traveling from Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, or Port Charlotte, we can help you navigate the next steps in treatment options.

Lee Health Regional Cancer Center

8931 Colonial Center Dr Fort Myers, FL 33905

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Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic - Bonita Health Center

3501 Health Center Blvd Estero, FL 34135

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