Kidney Cancer Treatment

What Is Kidney Cancer?

The human body has two kidneys, bean-shaped organs located behind the abdominal organs. Their primary function is to remove waste from the blood and return the filtered blood to the body. 

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Sometimes, we develop abnormal masses or tumors inside our kidneys. While some of these growths are cancerous, many are not. After thorough examinations and diagnosis, if the mass is proven to be cancerous, it is called kidney cancer.

While discussing ‘what is kidney cancer’, we must dig deeper into various aspects, including kidney cancer symptoms, types, risk factors, different stages, treatment options, and so on. 

Let’s have a look at some of the vital statistics on kidney cancer –

Kidney cancer is the 14th most common cancer type worldwide.

Renal cancer comes in the 9th position as the most common cancer in men while 14th in women.

Kidney cancer mostly occurs in older age.

Men are twice more susceptible to kidney cancer than women.

There were more than 430,000 cases of kidney cancer in 2020.

What Is the Survival Rate of Kidney Cancer in India?

Kidney cancer survival rate is based on the percentage of people who live no less than five years after the diagnosis of the disease. Remember that no two people with cancer experience the same thing. Also, the survival rates depend on several factors, including the cancer stages, the time of diagnosis, and the level of kidney cancer treatment in India.

Here is the 5-year kidney cancer survival rate for different stages –

CANCER STAGES	SURVIVAL RATE	WHAT DOES IT MEAN
Stage I	81% 5-year survival rate	81 out of 100 people with stage I kidney cancer live after 5 years of their diagnosis
Stage II	74% 5-year survival rate	74 out of 100 people with stage II kidney cancer live after 5 years of their diagnosis
Stage III	53% 5-year survival rate	53 out of 100 people with stage III kidney cancer live after 5 years of their diagnosis
Stage IV	8% 5-year survival rate	8% 5-year survival rate (only 8 people out of 100 with stage IV kidney cancer live after 5 years of their diagnosis

Causes of Kidney Cancer

Anyone can get kidney cancer since the exact cause of kidney cancer is yet not entirely known. 

While observing the kidney cancer causes, doctors have found that some cells in the specific organ start mutating in their DNA. Due to the mutation, cells grow and divide so fast that they turn into abnormal masses of cells that often expand beyond the kidney. This can be the root of kidney tumor causes. 

What Are the Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer?

Several factors can increase the potential risk of getting this disease. These include –

Older age: The risk of developing this cancer increases with age. People between the ages of 50 and 70 are more likely to have this disease than younger people.

Smoking: Smoking can be a vital factor in kidney cancer causes. The potential risk seems to be related to how much and how long you smoke.

Obesity: The more obese a person is, the higher the risk of getting kidney cancer. 

High blood pressure (Hypertension): People with high blood pressure or hypertension have a higher risk of kidney cancer than those with healthy blood pressure.

Long-term dialysis treatment: Those suffering from kidney failure need to undergo dialysis to clean their blood. Unfortunately, long-term dialysis treatment increases the risk of developing kidney cancer.

Certain inherited syndromes: Some inherited disorders like von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome (BHD), and tuberous sclerosis increase the susceptibility to develop renal cell carcinoma or familial renal cancer.

Family history of kidney cancer: The risk of kidney cancer is also high when family members have had this disease.

Types of Kidney Cancer

Different types of kidney cancer develop in other parts of the kidney. Depending on the type of cancer and where it starts, doctors determine which treatment a patient should receive. The following are the main kidney cancer types –

Renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), also known as renal cell cancer, is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Around 85% of all kidney cancers fall into this type. 

In most cases, RCC develops as a single tumor in one kidney, but there are also a few instances, like two or more tumors in one kidney and even tumors in both kidneys found at the same time. The type of cancer grows in the proximal renal tubules, which operate the kidney’s filtration system.

Some subtypes of RCC are –

• Clear cell renal cell carcinoma
• Papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
• Rare types of renal cell carcinoma

Transitional Cell Cancer

Transitional cell cancer (TCC), also known as urothelial cancer, is found in 5 to 10 persons in every 100 cases of kidney cancer diagnosed in adults. 

This cancer starts developing in the lining of the renal pelvis, the area where the ureters connect to the kidney. 

Sarcoma

Renal sarcoma is a rare condition that accounts for less than 1% of all types of kidney cancer. This cancer starts in the kidney’s blood vessels or connective soft tissues. 

Renal sarcoma is often treated by kidney cancer surgery and chemotherapy following the initial surgery. 

Wilms tumor

Wilms tumors mainly occur in children and are very rare among adults. About 5% of all cancers that occur in children are Wilms tumor, whereas 9 of 10 children with this kidney cancer are cured.

Different Stages of Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer treatment starts with the proper diagnosis of this disease. Here, the doctors diagnose the cancer stage to ensure the best kidney cancer treatment in India. The cancer’s stage is decided on –

• The location and size of the tumor
• How fast the cancer is spreading, if so, to which organs and tissues
• To what extent the lymph nodes are affected

Stage I 

• In this stage, the tumor size remains 7 cm or smaller and spreads only within the kidney.
• Tumors have the lowest level of aggression, and hence, patients have the highest survival rate.

Stage II

• The size of the cancerous tumor is larger than 7 cm; however, it remains still within the kidney.
• The tumor doesn’t reach lymph nodes or other tissues.

Stage III

• Here, the tumor can spread to the major blood vessels, including the renal vein and inferior vena cava.
• The tumor may be any size and spread outside the kidney and to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV

• The tumor can spread outside the kidney – to nearby or distant lymph nodes or other organs. 
• In this stage, the tumor can be of any size and metastasize to other organs.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

Most kidney tumors don’t produce any symptoms in their early stages. However, as the tumor grows, various kidney cancer symptoms or signs start appearing. 

Following are some potential signs and symptoms of kidney cancer –

• Hematuria or blood in the urine (may be pink, red, or cola in colour)
• Continuous back pain or side pain
• A lump or mass on the bottom or side of the back
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Anaemia
• Recurrent low-grade fever, not caused by any infection

Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer

More than half of kidney cancer cases are detected by chance – either during generic screening or seeing a doctor due to some other health issue. If your doctor finds out kidney cancer symptoms, they might perform a complete health examination and, accordingly, send you to a urologist. 

Here are some tests and procedures that doctors often recommend for the kidney cancer treatment in India –

Blood tests

A single blood test is not enough to diagnose the kidney cancer. A complete blood count (CBC) and a blood chemistry test can count the various types of blood cells and electrolytes linked to kidney cancer. Here are some scenarios that resulted from blood tests –

• A low level of healthy red blood cells indicates anemia, a common condition for various cancers.
• An increased level of creatinine indicates poor kidney function.
• In rare cases, the production of erythropoietin, a hormone produced by specific kidney cancer cells, causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells. 

Urine test

A urinalysis test is performed in the lab to detect blood traces in urine. Sometimes, the amount of blood may be too small to detect with the naked eye and can only be detected through urine tests.

CT scan

Computed tomography (CT scan) is a special X-ray technique that produces a three-dimensional image of the internal body parts. By injecting an intravenous contrast (dye) and noticing its movement, the renal tumor’s location, size, and form are confirmed. The scan can also check whether the tumor has spread to neighbouring lymph nodes and surrounding tissues outside the kidney.

MRI scan

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, produces the internal image of the body using magnets, radio waves, and a computer. After detecting kidney tumor symptoms, oncologists can recommend performing the MRI scan when a person cannot have the CT contrast dye under specific physical conditions.

Ultrasound

The ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves to detect kidney tumors. Based on ultrasound models, Doctors can also differentiate between different types of benign and malignant kidney tumors.

Angiography

Angiography is an X-ray test that helps diagnose renal cancers by identifying and mapping blood vessels. In traditional angiography, a contrast dye is injected into the renal artery, whereas in modern angiography, the test takes place as a part of a CT or MRI scan.

Chest x-ray

In certain scenarios, doctors recommend to perform an x-ray after the diagnosis of kidney cancer. It helps them determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs, and then they can plan the best treatment for kidney cancer in India.

Bone scan

A bone scan is performed to determine if the kidney cancer has spread to the bones. Usually, doctors recommend this test in specific scenarios like bone pain or high calcium levels.

Kidney biopsy

Unlike most other types of cancer, biopsies are not always needed to detect kidney tumors. In the procedure, a small tissue sample from the kidney mass is collected and examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells. Oncologists may recommend the biopsy before developing a kidney cancer treatment plan.

kidney Cancer Treatment in India

Treating your kidney cancer depends on various factors, including the stage and grade of the tumor, your age, and overall health. Let’s delve deeper into different options for kidney cancer treatment in India, including surgery, radiation therapy, ablation, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and more.

a) Surgery for Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer surgery involves removing the cancerous tumor and its surrounding tissues and sometimes lymph nodes. If the cancer has not spread beyond the kidneys, surgery would be the right option for treating the disease. 

Several surgical options for kidney cancer treatment in India are –

1.      Radical nephrectomy

The whole kidney and surrounding tissues are removed in this surgical process. If the doctors find that the tumor has spread to the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, they may decide to perform radical nephrectomy and lymph node dissection to remove cancer.

2.      Partial nephrectomy

Sometimes, doctors decide to remove the part of the tumor to protect kidney functions and eliminate the risk of developing chronic kidney cancer following the surgery.

3.      Laparoscopic and robotic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon inserts telescopic equipment through small incisions and removes the whole or partial kidney. Sometimes, surgeons use robotic equipment to perform kidney cancer surgery.

4.      Cytoreductive nephrectomy

If the disease has spread beyond the kidney, surgeons may go for a cytoreductive nephrectomy to remove the whole kidney along with the primary kidney tumor. Doctors usually recommend this surgery after diagnosing and undergoing other systematic treatments.

5.      Metastasectomy

This kidney cancer surgery is used for advanced kidney cancer symptoms, and the surgery involves the removal of the primary tumor along with the metastases from other organs.

It is essential to discuss the potential risks and benefits of surgical procedures with your doctor, along with the kidney surgery cost in India, to be sure that you receive the best surgical support.

b) Nonsurgical Treatments for Tumors

Doctors choose to avoid surgery Based on the tumour’s characteristics or the patient’s health condition. Once you go to the best kidney specialist in India, you should have a thorough conversation to weigh these treatments’ benefits and risk factors. 

1.      Radiofrequency ablation

In radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a needle is put through the tumor to abolish cancer with an electric current.

2.      Cryoablation

During cryoablation or cryotherapy, metal equipment is probed through a tiny incision into the tumor to freeze the cancerous cells.

 c)Therapies Using Medication

When medication is given through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells, it is called systematic therapy. An oncologist who specializes in treating kidney cancer through medication prescribes the proper treatment.

1.      Targeted Therapy

In targeted therapy, specific cancer genes, proteins, or tissues that contribute to the growth and spread of kidney cancer are targeted.

2.      Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, or biological therapy, stimulates the body’s natural defence mechanism against cancer. 

3.      Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing, splitting, and producing more cancerous cells. In kidney cancer treatment in India, chemotherapy consists of several cycles within a specific period.

4.      Radiation therapy

In this process, high-energy X-rays are used to destroy cancerous cells. However, this may also damage the kidney, so it is not recommended as the primary stage of kidney cancer treatment.

Before undergoing the treatment, it is advisable to learn about all treatment options, their side effects, follow-up routines, and, of course, the kidney surgery cost in India to make an informed decision.

Life After Kidney Cancer Treatment

Whether you have undergone surgery to remove your kidney or recovered from kidney cancer treatment without surgery, you have to make certain adjustments to your life. 

Post-treatment, you may want to go back to your previous life like you did before the cancer diagnosis. However, you should remember that recovery takes time. Hence, you may have to deal with the side effects of kidney cancer treatment.

If you have had surgery to remove part or all of a kidney, it is crucial to take good care of your remaining kidney or kidneys.

It is advisable to make lifestyle changes to improve your health and well-being. Following are some pointers one must follow in the post-treatment phase –

• Eat healthy 
• Stop smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Follow sensible drinking guidelines
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Reduce stress
• Keep an eye on other health issues

Follow-up Care after Kidney Cancer Treatment

It is crucial to have proper follow-up care after completing your kidney cancer treatment. Keep these things in mind during your follow-up care –

Doctor’s visit: Go for all your follow-up appointments when the doctors may ask you for further signs of cancer or treatment side effects.

Side-effects of treatment: Almost all cancer treatments have side effects. While some may last for only a few days or weeks, others may last longer. During your follow-up visits, discuss with the doctor any side effects or problems you notice after the treatment.

Follow-up exams and tests: Your doctor may recommend a survivorship care plan that includes imaging tests, blood tests, and a physical exam at regular intervals. Even if you receive the best treatment for kidney cancer in India, it is essential to follow the schedule for follow-up exams and tests to lower the chances of cancer coming back.

Treatment Approaches Based on Stages of Kidney Cancer

The type of treatment you should receive for your renal cancer will depend on the stage of the cancer and your overall health. Depending on its stage, the kidney cancer treatment changes. This section sums up different approaches for each stage of kidney cancer –

Stage I Kidney Cancer Treatment in India

Since the tumors typically remain in the kidney and their sizes are up to 7 cm, doctors recommend removing them with kidney cancer surgery. It is done by –

• Partial nephrectomy or only removing the kidney’s affected part
• Radical nephrectomy or removing the entire kidney

Stage II Kidney Cancer Treatment in India

The treatment of stage II kidney cancer is similar to stage I as the tumors are still present within the kidney. If you can’t go for surgery due to other medical issues, you may be recommended kidney cancer treatment without surgery, such as cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation.

Stage III Kidney Cancer Treatment in India

As stage III cancers have spread through the surrounding veins or to nearby lymph nodes, doctors suggest cutting open those veins, ensuring the best treatment for kidney cancer in India.

Stage IV Kidney Cancer Treatment in India

In this stage, the cancer has spread outside the kidney, sometimes to distant lymph nodes and other organs. Doctors first examine how extensive the cancer is and the person’s overall health. Accordingly, they suggest surgery followed by adjuvant therapy. If required, they also perform immunotherapy to remove the kidney and the metastasis.

Which Country Is Best for Kidney Cancer Treatment?

It’s difficult to label “best” to a single country for kidney cancer treatment, as different countries worldwide offer adequate medical facilities with high success rates.

Before choosing a country as your best option, you need to consider the following factors first –

• Check the kidney cancer survival rate for patients who already underwent the treatment in your chosen country
• Make sure the chosen country is equipped with world-class healthcare facilities
• Know about the cost of kidney cancer treatment in that specific country and whether it comes within your affordability
• Check out the cost of stay and after-care facilities in your desired location
• Look for the availability of connecting flights between your location and the chosen country

With the increasing number of kidney cancer cases, a lot of people choose to travel abroad in search of high-quality healthcare services, advanced medical technologies, and highly skilled medical professionals. Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism include the United States, Germany, Singapore, and India.

However, the cost of renal cancer treatment is usually high in many Western countries. Compared to those countries, the kidney surgery cost in India is relatively affordable.

Moreover, many hospitals in India have state-of-the-art facilities and experienced nephrologists and oncologists, making it a preferred destination for cancer treatment for patients worldwide.

Tips for Selecting the Finest Kidney Cancer Treatment Hospital in India

Choosing a hospital for treating your kidney cancer is a crucial step because a good hospital can ensure you get the best treatment for kidney cancer in India.

To make your task more accessible, we’re sharing some helpful tips on how to select the best hospital for kidney treatment in India –

• Look for a hospital with a multidisciplinary medical team that can collaboratively offer comprehensive medical care
• Find out the success ratio of the number of kidney cancer cases the hospital treats with their kidney cancer survival rate
• Check out the hospital must have state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, including equipment for laparoscopy and robotic surgeries, MRI, PET scan machines, and radiation therapy equipment
• Prioritize a hospital that follows patient-centric care and support
• Get quotes on kidney surgery cost in India from various hospitals and compare them, weighing their treatment facilities, doctors, and other parameters
• Consider the hospital’s location and amenities for a comfortable treatment procedure

Consider MediGocare’s network of world-class, highly-equipped hospitals that ensure the offering of quality healthcare services at affordable pricing.

How to Choose the Best Oncologist for Your Kidney Cancer Treatment in India?

You should research thoroughly to select the best kidney doctor in India to treat your kidney cancer. Here are some steps you should follow before making a decision –

• The doctor must be board-certified in oncology or a related field.
• The oncologist should have experience in treating your specific type of cancer.
• Evaluate the kidney cancer survival rate and patient satisfaction with the oncologist.
• The oncologist should comprehensively work with a dedicated team of specialists, including specialist surgeons and radiation oncologists.
• You can seek referrals from your general healthcare provider, friends, and family members who can share their input on the quality of care and treatment provided by a particular oncologist.

MediGocare has a list of highly experienced kidney cancer specialists who can meet all the above criteria for being the best kidney cancer specialist in India.

Kidney Cancer Treatment Cost in India

Compared to some Western and developing countries, the cost of kidney cancer treatment in India is much more affordable. Sometimes, it is 60% to 70% lower than in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Factors affecting the cost of kidney cancer treatment

The overall cost of the treatment varies on some crucial factors. Let’s dig deeper –

Stage and type of cancer: the kidney cancer treatment cost massively depends on the patient’s condition – the stage and grade of the tumor, the patient’s age, and their overall health condition.

Type of surgery: The kidney surgery cost in India depends on the type of surgery doctors recommend. For example, partial nephrectomy, which removes the affected part of the kidney, is usually less expensive than radical nephrectomy or removing the entire kidney.

Treatment options: Some kidney cancer treatments involve only the surgery to remove the tumor while others need additional treatments, like radiation therapy, immune therapy, and so on.

Chosen hospital and accommodation: The cost of kidney cancer treatment in India also varies with the type of hospital and room accommodation you choose (single room, twin-sharing, or general).

Post-surgery tests: The treatment cost will increase if the patient needs post-surgery tests, repeated investigation through a PET CT scan, or further chemotherapy/radiation therapy.

Post-surgery care: The complexity of aftercare can impact the cost of kidney cancer treatment.

Accommodation cost during follow-ups: When the patient is not a resident or someone coming from abroad to be treated by the best kidney specialist in India, they may need to consider the cost of staying here during follow-up chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions.

Inclusions in the Kidney Cancer Treatment Package

Here is a list of things included in the kidney cancer treatment process that can impact the treatment cost –

• Cost of preoperative diagnosis tests – including urine analysis, blood tests, CBC, kidney function tests, serum calcium assessment, or liver function tests
• Kidney surgery cost in India – depending on the size and type of the tumor along with other factors
• Post-operative cost – including the cost of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, if recommended by the doctor
• Cost of patient’s hospital stay
• Medicine bills

Range of Cost for Kidney Cancer Treatment in India

Here is a general range of renal cancer treatment cost in India –

Treatment name	Cost range in USD	Cost range in INR
Kidney Cancer Treatment, including surgical procedures	USD 3,125 to USD 6,250	INR 2,50,000 to INR 5,00,000
Diagnosis (e.g. ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and biopsy)	USD 500 to USD 700	INR 37,500 – INR 52,500
Targeted therapy (per session)	USD 937.50 to USD 3,125	INR 75,000 to INR 2,50,000
Immunotherapy (per month)	USD 1,250 to USD 5,000	INR 1,00,000 to INR 4,00,000

PLEASE NOTE: THE PRICES MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE CENTRE, DOCTOR YOU CHOOSE AND THE PATIENT’S CONDITION. 

To get a more accurate estimate as per your situation, it is advisable to consult directly with MediGocare, a fully accredited & certified medical tourism company based in India.