Kidney Cancer – Understanding the Disease and Choosing the Right Treatment

Kidney cancer originates in the kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine, just behind the abdominal organs. These organs play a vital role in filtering waste from the blood and balancing fluid levels in the body. The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. With advancements in imaging, such as CT scans, kidney cancers are increasingly found incidentally, often when they are still small and confined to the kidney.

Kidney cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages, meaning many people don’t realize they have it until it’s discovered during an unrelated scan. As the disease progresses, symptoms may appear, including: Blood in the urine: It may appear pink, red, or cola-colored. Persistent pain in the side or back. Unexplained weight loss and fatigue. Loss of appetite.

The exact cause of kidney cancer remains unclear, but it occurs when cells in the kidney develop mutations in their DNA. These mutations instruct the cells to grow rapidly and resist natural cell death, forming a mass or tumor. If not treated, these cells can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body, known as metastatic cancer.

Factors that may increase the risk of kidney cancer include: Older Age: Risk increases as people age. Smoking: Tobacco use is a major risk factor, with risks decreasing over time after quitting. Obesity: Extra body weight is linked to a higher risk of renal cell carcinoma. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Elevated blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. Inherited Genetic Conditions: Conditions like von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis can increase kidney cancer risk. Family History: A history of kidney cancer among close relatives, such as parents or siblings, raises one’s own risk.

Small kidney tumors, often found incidentally during scans, are frequently slow-growing and don’t always require immediate treatment. For these low-risk cases, active surveillance is a safe approach—monitoring the tumor over time with regular imaging to catch any changes early. This avoids unnecessary treatments and preserves kidney function, offering peace of mind while ensuring any changes are addressed promptly.

For patients diagnosed with kidney cancer, interventional radiology provides a breakthrough treatment: Kidney Tumor Ablation. Unlike traditional surgery, which often requires partial or full removal of the kidney (nephrectomy), ablation offers a kidney-sparing alternative that targets only the tumor.

Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that can serve as an alternative to surgery for patients with a few, small tumors in specific locations. The process uses extreme heat (microwave or radiofrequency ablation) or extreme cold (cryoablation) to destroy the tumor, allowing the kidney to remain intact. Over time, the treated tumor turns into scar tissue and ceases to grow.

During the procedure, the physician makes a small, pinhole incision in the patient’s back to access the tumor. With real-time imaging from a CT scan, a thin, specially designed needle (or “wand”) is guided precisely to the tumor, avoiding damage to normal kidney tissue.

Once the needle tip is positioned in the tumor, the clinician uses either extreme heat or cold to destroy the cancerous tissue: Microwave or Radiofrequency Ablation: Heat is applied to the tumor, effectively 'cooking' the cancer cells. Cryoablation: Freezing the tumor with intense cold causes the cancer cells to die and later turn into scar tissue. The procedure typically lasts 1-2 hours, after which the needle is removed, and a small bandage covers the site. Most patients can go home the same day, with a recovery period of just 1-2 days before resuming normal activities.

Kidney tumor ablation offers several advantages over conventional nephrectomy: Kidney Preservation: Ablation targets only the tumor, leaving healthy kidney tissue intact and preserving kidney function. Minimal Recovery Time: Patients experience a shorter recovery period, returning to their usual activities within days. Outpatient Procedure: With no large incisions, patients avoid hospital stays, with the entire treatment completed in a single outpatient visit. Lower Risk of Complications: Ablation is associated with fewer side effects, smaller scars, and a reduced risk of complications compared to traditional surgery.

Interventional radiology and ablation offer a powerful, minimally invasive option for kidney cancer treatment. With ablation, patients can fight cancer directly, preserving their kidney and maintaining their quality of life. This precise approach brings new hope and effectiveness to kidney cancer care, enabling patients to continue living on their terms.