Kidney cancer

Disease description

Kidney cancer is an oncological pathology that affects this vital paired organ responsible for urine formation. When a tumor develops, it disrupts not only the kidney’s function but also causes vascular damage, leading to chronic blood loss.

Malignant kidney tumors are diagnosed twice as often in men compared to women. The average age at diagnosis is 65 years.

When detected early, the five-year survival rate after treatment reaches 90%, primarily due to high-tech therapies available in leading global clinics.

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

Kidney cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages. As the disease progresses and nearby structures become involved or tissue compression occurs, the following symptoms may develop:

• Hematuria (blood in the urine) — may occur once or periodically, due to vascular damage
• Pain and discomfort in the lower back
• Renal colic (caused by ureteral blockage with a blood clot)
• Facial swelling
• Low-grade fever (up to 38°C)

In advanced stages, a common manifestation in men is varicocele (varicose veins of the spermatic cord).

Diagnosis and treatment methods

Diagnosis

To diagnose kidney cancer, the following procedures are used: ultrasound (US), excretory urography, radionuclide scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), bone scintigraphy, core needle biopsy (trepanobiopsy).

Treatment

Conservative treatment is highly effective in the early stages, when the tumor responds well to reduction therapies. Leading urologists in global clinics apply the following methods:

• Cryoablation (cryodestruction)
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Ultrasound thermocoagulation
• Chemoembolization
• Targeted therapy and immunotherapy

For surgical treatment, urology departments equipped with modern technology offer minimally invasive surgeries using the Da Vinci robotic system.

Innovations in leading clinics

Researchers at scientific institutes have proposed a retroperitoneal approach for kidney surgeries. The access point is located below the tenth rib and extends to the adjacent intercostal spaces. This approach minimizes tissue trauma during the access phase while preserving the advantages of open surgery.