Kidney Clinic
Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is the ninth most common cancer among men and the 14th most common cancer among women. Around 13,100 kidney cancers are diagnosed in the UK each year.
There are different types of kidney cancer. About 8 out of 10 (80%) kidney cancers are renal cell cancers (RCC). There are various forms of RCC including clear cell, papillary, sarcomatoid, and transitional cell.
Kidney cancer symptoms
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Abdominal mass (a lump in the abdomen)
- Back pain or flank pain
- Weight loss
- Low blood count (anemia)
- Fever and night sweats
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
At East Midlands Urology, we specialise in providing rapid access to advanced diagnostics and treatments for range of kidney problems.
These include:
- Blood Tests
- Ultrasound
- CT Scans/ CT urogram
- PET/CT
- MRI
- Biopsies
- Cystoscopy
Treatment of Kidney cancer
Surgery
Surgery is the first choice of treatment for many kidney cancers. Deciding whether to have surgery will happen after completing initial testing for diagnosis and after discussion with a surgeon.
Partial nephrectomy( removing part of the kidney)
The surgeon removes the part of the kidney containing cancer. Some of the kidney is left behind.
Radical nephrectomy( removing the whole kidney)
Radical nephrectomy involves removal of the whole kidney, often removal of adrenal gland above the kidney, surrounding fatty tissues and adjacent lymph nodes.
Drug Treatment
Drug treatments are medications that are given intravenously or taken orally.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy drugs are the main treatment for kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic kidney cancer). The aim of treatment is to control cancer for as long as possible. Most targeted therapies for kidney cancer are taken as tablets. Patients usually have the treatment as an outpatient.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs encourage the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. These treatments are now frequently used to treat advanced kidney cancer. They are normally given as an intravenous infusion. These drugs can sometimes be used in conjugation with targeted therapies.
Radiotherapy
The aim of this is to destroy the cancerous cells through the use of high energy x-rays whilst still trying to preserve the healthy cells. Radiotherapy is normally used if the kidney cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain or the bones. This is called palliative radiotherapy. But it can be effective when used to relieve symptoms, such as bleeding.
At East Midlands Urology we have access to most advanced radiotherapy techniques like IMRT, VMAT and Stereotactic radiotherapy SBRT which help to improve outcomes and reducing side effect from treatment.
Book a consultation
Whether you have private medical insurance or are a self-funding patient, you can be seen and treated quickly.