Kidney Cancer
Most kidney cancers are found early, often by chance on a scan. With modern robotic surgery, many can be treated effectively while preserving healthy kidney.
Overview
Kidney cancer develops when cells in the kidney grow in an uncontrolled way. The most common type is renal cell carcinoma. Many kidney cancers cause no symptoms in their early stages and are increasingly discovered by chance when a scan is carried out for another reason.
When a kidney tumour is found, the priority is to understand its size, type and behaviour so that the most appropriate treatment can be recommended for you.
Signs & symptoms
Many people with early kidney cancer have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- blood in the urine;
- a persistent ache or pain in the side or lower back;
- a lump in the tummy area;
- unexplained weight loss or ongoing tiredness.
These symptoms have many causes other than cancer, but they should always be checked.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis usually involves imaging — ultrasound, CT or MRI scans — to assess the tumour and surrounding tissues. Blood and urine tests help evaluate kidney function, and in some cases a biopsy is taken. Your case is reviewed within a specialist multidisciplinary team.
Treatment options
Treatment is tailored to you and may include:
- Active surveillance — carefully monitoring small, low-risk tumours;
- Robotic partial nephrectomy — removing the tumour while preserving healthy kidney;
- Robotic radical nephrectomy — removing the whole kidney for larger or more complex tumours.
Mr Reekhaye will discuss which approach is most suitable for your situation.
Common questions
Does kidney cancer always need surgery?
Will I lose my whole kidney?
Is robotic surgery suitable for kidney cancer?
Considering robotic kidney surgery?
Arrange a private consultation with Mr Reekhaye to discuss your diagnosis, the options available to you, and what to expect at every stage.