Kidney Cancer
The incidence of kidney cancer has increased in recent years, being more common in developed and Western countries. More than 50.0% of kidney cancers are detected incidentally when imaging tests are used for other reasons.
Risk factors and screening
To date, no specific agent has been identified as an established cause of kidney cancer in humans. The only generally accepted environmental risk factor for the development of CRC is tobacco use.
The main risk factors associated with kidney cancer are:
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Long-term haemodialysis
- Having a first-degree relative with the disease
The genetic experts at our centre can help you carry out a risk assessment if you have a first-degree relative with the disease.
Certain hereditary diseases are associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer:
- Von Hipple-Lindau disease (VHL): Associated with tumours in the eyes and brain, pancreatic cysts and adrenal tumours.
- Hereditary papillary carcinoma: affects young patients bilaterally.
- Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: skin lesions, kidney tumours and lung cysts appear.
The symptoms associated with kidney cancer may be the result of local growth, haemorrhage, paraneoplastic syndromes or tumour metastases. It is a pathology that has very different clinical manifestations and can present as pain in the renal fossa, macroscopic haematuria, and a palpable abdominal mass (known as the classic triad), constitutional symptoms such as weight loss, fever, or night sweats. The diversity of symptoms in these patients is very varied and can include high blood pressure, weight loss, fever, neuromyopathy, amyloidosis, anaemia, liver dysfunction, or hypercalcaemia.
The diagnosis of kidney cancer is based on imaging tests. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are indicated to characterise the tumour.
Other tests may also be used, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, which is indicated in cases of renal cysts, or bone scintigraphy if bone metastases are suspected.
In the case of tumours smaller than 4 cm (small renal masses, SRMs), performing a percutaneous biopsy beforehand will help us make decisions prior to ablative treatments and rule out benign pathology.
The minimally invasive approach to a renal mass can be performed robotically, laparoscopically or percutaneously. In each case, the treatment modality must be agreed upon with the patient, who will have access to the latest techniques available in our service:
- Robotic surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Renal ablation
The decision on the type of treatment for kidney cancer will depend on the size, tumour stage, patient age and patient preferences.
Advanced and metastatic kidney cancer
Advanced cases will require multidisciplinary management, combining the latest treatments that have been shown to increase survival rates. Today, urologists have a therapeutic arsenal for metastatic cancer that has expanded significantly in recent years, with new drugs showing promising results.
Follow-up
You will need years of monitoring after treatment. We work to give you all the support you need, not only physically with imaging and laboratory tests during your follow-up, but also psychologically. You will receive psychological support from our team of psychologists for cancer patients, so that your return to normality is as quick as possible.