When is kidney cancer dangerous

"The kidneys are vital organs that play a crucial role in detoxifying the body. However, like any other organ, they can develop abnormal cell growth leading to tumors. While a significant percentage of these tumors are benign and pose no serious threat, some malignant types can spread to other parts of the body. So, when can we say that kidney cancer has become dangerous? And what factors determine its severity? In this Dalili Medical article, we will explore more about the nature of the disease, its causes, and how it is managed."

Kidney Cancer Survival Rate

The survival rate for kidney cancer depends on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed and the patient's overall health condition.

If the tumor is detected early and remains confined to the kidney, the 5-year survival rate is around 90%.
If the cancer spreads to nearby tissues or lymph nodes, the survival rate drops to 60%.
If the cancer has metastasized to distant parts of the body, the survival rate decreases to 30%.

How to Reduce the Risk of Kidney Cancer Recurrence?

To minimize the chances of kidney cancer returning after surgery, follow these steps:

Regular medical check-ups: Undergo imaging tests such as MRI, ultrasound, and blood or urine tests to monitor for any early signs of recurrence.
Adherence to prescribed medication: Some patients may need to take medication for a year after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Maintaining a healthy diet: A balanced diet can help lower the chances of cancer returning.
Managing chronic diseases: Controlling conditions like high blood pressure and following prescribed treatments can reduce overall health risks.
Staying healthy and keeping up with follow-ups: Regular check-ups with a doctor significantly contribute to preventing cancer recurrence.

Can Kidney Cancer Return After Removal?

Studies indicate that 20% of patients who undergo partial or complete kidney removal may experience cancer recurrence.

This usually happens within the first two years after surgery. That’s why doctors closely monitor patients during this period to detect any issues early and initiate treatment promptly.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Kidney Cancer Recurrence

Certain factors make cancer more likely to return after surgery, including:

Cancer stage: Late-stage detection increases the likelihood of recurrence.
Cancer spread: The faster the cancer spreads, the higher the chances of it coming back.
Surgical approach: If the tumor is not completely removed, residual cancerous cells may grow again.
Tumor size: Larger tumors have a higher probability of recurrence.

When Is a Kidney Tumor Considered Dangerous?

A kidney tumor is considered serious and requires immediate treatment if:

It is larger than 7 cm.
It has spread to other organs or tissues, causing damage.

In such cases, urgent medical intervention is necessary to prevent complications.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer Recurrence

The symptoms of kidney cancer returning vary from person to person, depending on where the cancer has spread. However, common symptoms may include:

Blood in the urine
Pain in the lower back on one side
Loss of appetite
A palpable lump on the side of the back
Unexplained weight loss
Fever
Anemia (low red blood cell count)

If any of these symptoms appear, especially after kidney tumor removal, it is crucial to see a doctor immediately for proper evaluation and treatment.

How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?

If there are signs of recurrence, the doctor may perform several tests, including:

Urine test: Detects blood in the urine, even if not visible to the naked eye.
Blood tests: Measures blood cell counts and kidney function, identifying anemia or other abnormalities.
CT scan: Provides detailed images of the kidneys using X-rays, often combined with a contrast dye.
MRI scan: Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce clear images of internal organs.
Ultrasound: Helps differentiate between malignant tumors and healthy tissues.
Kidney biopsy: Involves taking a small tissue sample from the tumor for analysis to determine its nature.
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): A contrast dye is injected into a vein to enhance X-ray imaging, helping identify tumors or blockages in the kidneys.

How Is Recurrent Kidney Cancer Treated?

If kidney cancer returns, the treatment plan depends on the patient's condition. The doctor may choose one or more of the following options:

Radiation therapy: Helps reduce symptoms and manage pain but is not the primary treatment for kidney cancer.
Chemotherapy: Involves oral or intravenous drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent further spread.
Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system’s ability to detect and fight cancer cells more effectively.

Types of Kidney Cancer and Their Severity

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (Clear Cell RCC)

The most common type, accounting for about 70% of kidney cancer cases.
Grows rapidly and has a high potential to spread to other organs, making it the most dangerous form.

Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (Papillary RCC)

The second most common type.
Less aggressive than Clear Cell RCC but can still be dangerous if diagnosed at a late stage.

Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (Chromophobe RCC)

A rare type compared to the others.
Less aggressive, but it can become dangerous if not treated in time.

Stages of Kidney Cancer

Determining the stage of kidney cancer is crucial for selecting the appropriate treatment. The stages are divided into four main categories, from least to most severe:

Stage 1

The tumor is small (7 cm or less).
It is confined to the kidney and has not spread to other organs or lymph nodes.

Stage 2

The tumor is larger than 7 cm but is still limited to the kidney.
It has not reached the lymph nodes or other organs.

Stage 3

The tumor has started to spread to nearby tissues.
It may have reached the lymph nodes, but it has not spread to distant organs.

Stage 4 (Most Severe)

The cancer has spread to distant areas, such as the adrenal gland, bones, lungs, or liver.
At this stage, the disease is at its most critical, and treatment focuses on controlling its spread and managing symptoms.

How Is the Cancer Stage Determined?

To determine the stage of kidney cancer, doctors perform several tests, including:

CT scan
MRI scan
Blood tests

If the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the bones or brain, it is classified as “metastatic cancer”, requiring specialized treatment.

Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer

Having risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will develop kidney cancer, but it increases the likelihood of occurrence. The key risk factors include:

Smoking

Smokers are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer compared to non-smokers.

Gender

Men are twice as likely as women to develop kidney cancer.

Obesity

Excess weight disrupts hormone balance, which may increase cancer risk.

Certain Medications

Long-term use of specific drugs has been linked to a higher risk of kidney cancer.

Long-Term Dialysis

Patients undergoing chronic dialysis due to kidney failure have a four times higher risk of developing kidney cancer.

Genetic Factors

A family history of kidney cancer, especially in first-degree relatives, increases the risk of developing the disease.

When Is Kidney Cancer Considered Dangerous?

With the increasing number of kidney cancer cases, many people ask, "When does kidney cancer become dangerous?" The answer depends on several factors, including:

1. Type of Tumor

Benign tumors: Less dangerous since they remain in one place and do not spread to other organs.
Malignant tumors: More dangerous because they can spread from the kidney to other parts of the body, making treatment more challenging.

2. Stage of Diagnosis

Early detection: If diagnosed in the early stages, the chances of successful treatment are high, with a 90% survival rate.
Late-stage detection: The more the cancer progresses and spreads, the lower the survival chances, making it more dangerous.

3. Overall Health Condition

If the patient has chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or immune system disorders, kidney cancer becomes more dangerous and harder to treat.

4. Extent of Tumor Spread

If the tumor is still within the kidney: It is less dangerous, and treatment is more effective.
If it has spread to nearby organs: Like surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, it becomes more severe.
If it has metastasized to distant organs: Such as the lungs, liver, or bones, it reaches its most dangerous stage and is harder to treat.

Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease, tumor size, and extent of spread. The available treatment options include:

1. Surgery (Most Effective Treatment)

Partial nephrectomy: Removes only the tumor while preserving part of the kidney.
Radical nephrectomy: Removes the entire kidney along with surrounding tissues. Patients can live with one kidney.

2. Chemotherapy

Used in some cases to kill cancer cells, but it is not the primary treatment, as kidney cancer is generally resistant to chemotherapy.

3. Radiation Therapy

Helps shrink the tumor or relieve symptoms, especially if the cancer has spread to bones or the brain, but it is not a curative treatment.

4. Targeted Therapy

Directly targets cancer cells without affecting healthy cells, helping to slow tumor growth.

5. Immunotherapy

Boosts the immune system to attack cancer cells and is often used in advanced cases to help control the disease.

Can the Risk of Kidney Cancer Be Reduced?
✅ Yes! Here’s how:

Early detection and regular follow-ups after treatment.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk factors like smoking and obesity.
Following prescribed treatments, especially in advanced cases, to prevent cancer recurrence or spread.
1. Surgery (Primary & Most Effective Treatment)
Partial Nephrectomy: Removes the tumor while preserving part of the kidney.
Radical Nephrectomy: Removes the entire kidney, adrenal gland, and surrounding tissues, used for large or spreading tumors.
Metastatic Tumor Removal: In cases where cancer has spread to other organs.
2. Targeted Therapy
Focuses on specific proteins or genes that drive tumor growth.
Reduces blood supply to the tumor, shrinking or stopping its growth.
Mostly used in advanced stages.
3. Immunotherapy
Boosts the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Used in advanced cases to slow tumor growth and prevent spread.
Common drugs:
Nivolumab (Opdivo)
Ipilimumab (Yervoy)
4. Radiation Therapy
Helps relieve symptoms such as pain when cancer spreads to the bones or brain.
Not a primary treatment for kidney cancer but is used in some advanced cases.
Can the Risk of Kidney Cancer Be Reduced?

✅ Yes! Here’s how:

Early detection and regular follow-ups after treatment.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk factors like smoking and obesity.
Following prescribed treatments, especially in advanced cases, to prevent cancer recurrence or spread.

1. Surgery (Primary & Most Effective Treatment)

Partial Nephrectomy: Removes the tumor while preserving part of the kidney.
Radical Nephrectomy: Removes the entire kidney, adrenal gland, and surrounding tissues, used for large or spreading tumors.
Metastatic Tumor Removal: In cases where cancer has spread to other organs.

2. Targeted Therapy

Focuses on specific proteins or genes that drive tumor growth.
Reduces blood supply to the tumor, shrinking or stopping its growth.
Mostly used in advanced stages.

3. Immunotherapy

Boosts the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Used in advanced cases to slow tumor growth and prevent spread.
Common drugs:
- Nivolumab (Opdivo)
- Ipilimumab (Yervoy)

4. Radiation Therapy

Helps relieve symptoms such as pain when cancer spreads to the bones or brain.
Not a primary treatment for kidney cancer but is used in some advanced cases.

Which Doctor Specializes in Kidney Cancer Treatment?

Urologist: Diagnoses and treats kidney and urinary tract diseases, especially in early stages.
Oncologist: Manages malignant tumors, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Urologic Surgeon: Performs surgical removal of kidney tumors if needed.

In some cases, a multidisciplinary team collaborates to create the best treatment plan for the patient.