Kidney Cancer – Stages, Treatment, and Side Effects
Renal cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths due to cancer in the world. The advancement of medical science has enabled doctors to administer treatment for kidney cancer on the basis of the stage of the disease, and it is also possible to manage the side effects of several treatment methods. Let’s take a look at the stages and treatment for kidney cancer in this article.
The stages of kidney cancer
The TNM system is commonly used to describe the crucial stages of kidney cancer:
- T refers to the tumor formed in the kidney in the earliest stages. Also, the alphabet T is noted down with a numerical value describing the size of the tumor.
- N refers to the second stage of cancer, wherein it might have spread to a major vein as the kidneys are also connected to the lymph system of the body, and cancer may form a node in one of the veins and spread to other organs.
- M refers to the metastasizing of cancer, and the most advanced stage is generally cancer spreads rapidly into distant lymph nodes and organs.
The stages and treatments for kidney cancer are interrelated, and the treatment method depends on the stage of cancer.
Treatment options for kidney cancer
The treatment for kidney cancer depends on the stage and severity of the disease, and one may also face serious side-effects of the treatment.
Standard treatment options for kidney cancer based on the stages
- Surgical procedures for the removal of tumors with incisions in veins and kidney
- Radiation therapy for the reversal of tumor growth
- Chemotherapy is another treatment method that destroys the tumorous cells
- Immunotherapy includes heavy medication to replenish the immune system to fight the disease
Unconventional treatment
Patients suffering from renal cell cancer can also look for new-age treatments. They can join exclusive clinical trials where they can test new treatments and medicines that might work on their condition. However, it is important to consult a doctor, and then a patient can join the trials after a few tests to ensure that they’re fit for the trials.
Ways to treat the major side-effects of kidney cancer medication
To avoid the generation of side-effects due to the medications administered for treating cancer, patients need to keep the following points in mind:
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet
To prevent worsening the side-effects of the medication, patients must follow a healthy diet with nutritious food. One can have boiled vegetables and oil-free foods to improve the immune system. - Ensure adequate rest
Patients need to get enough rest and ensure more than six hours of sleep every day to help their bodies respond effectively to medicines. - Avoid smoking
To get better results and reduce the chances of side-effects or a remission, one must quit or avoid smoking.