Methods for kidney cancer treatment

The urologists develop an Individual program for each patient according to the requirements of the protocols for the treatment of kidney cancer. The first and most crucial stage in the treatment of kidney tumors is the surgical removal. Depending on the tumor stage, the surgical procedure can be combined with other therapeutic methods.

Kidney cancer surgery

In most cases, the kidney tumors are removed surgically. Depending on the size of cancer, a urologist performs the resection (removal of the affected part of the kidney) or complete removal of the organ, so-called radical nephrectomy.

The doctors offer to perform a kidney resection, the organ-preserving operation in cases when the tumor is 4-7 cm in diameter. During the procedure, the specialists carry out the partial excision of the kidney area with cancer. There are several types of surgery for kidney cancer treatment.

Laparoscopic resection or nephrectomy is the most effective surgical procedure for kidney cancer treatment. This operation is minimally invasive. The urologists remove the kidney tumor through small (2 cm in size) incisions.

In some cases, the surgeons provide open surgery for the kidney treatment. During the operation, the urologists make a large incision in the lumbar region. The laparoscopic resection is less traumatic, reduce the number of complications and shorten the recovery period after the surgery.

If the tumor is big and the surgeons cannot perform organ-preserving operations, they carry out the radical nephrectomy. During this type of the surgery, the urologists remove the kidney and the surrounding tissues, lymph nodes and sometimes adrenal glands. The success rate of the operation depends on the specialist’s experience and the high-quality equipment.

Surgeons offer to undergo Da Vinci robotic procedure for kidney cancer treatment to avoid traumas and complications after the surgery. Robotic surgery with the help of Da Vinci robotic system is a new method in the treatment of kidney cancer. Robotic surgeries minimize traumatization of surrounding tissues. Operation with Da Vinci robotic system is performed by a surgeon, who controls all movements of the robot. Due to the 3-dimensional image of the kidney on the screen, a doctor sees the size and location of the tumor. 40 special robot tools operate with incredible accuracy.

After the operation with the Da Vinci robot, a patient stays in the clinic for 3 days. The rehabilitation period lasts 1.5-2 times shorter than after traditional surgical intervention.

Ablation for kidney cancer treatment

Ablation is the less traumatic method of cancer treatment. The urologists prescribe this technique when performing surgery for kidney tumors treatment is impossible.

The specialists provide cryoablation. During this procedure, the urologists freeze cancerous kidney tumor with the help of special cryoprobes. It is a minimally invasive method of cancer treatment. Cryoablation leads to the death of malignant cells.

During radiofrequency ablation, the urologists destroy the tumor by heating it with special needles-electrodes. They are administered internally under the control of imaging instruments (CT, MRI, Ultrasound). Needles-electrodes sends high-frequency electric currents, which heat and destroy malignant cells.

Treatment options for kidney cancer