Question

In renal cell cancer, overexpression of caix is common and the possible role of caix targeting antibodies is currently evaluated in phase iii trials

Answer 1

family history of RCC

dialysis treatment

hypertension

obesity

smoking cigarettes

polycystic kidney disease (an inherited disorder that causes cysts to form in the kidneys)

the genetic condition Von Hippel-Lindau disease (characterized by cysts and tumors in various organs)

chronic abuse of certain prescribed and over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis, and medications for fever and pain relief such as acetaminophen

Symptoms of renal cell carcinoma

When RCC is in its early stages, patients may be symptom-free. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

a lump in the abdomen

blood in the urine

unexplained weight loss

loss of appetite

fatigue

vision problems

persistent pain in the side

excessive hair growth (in women)

How is renal cell carcinoma diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects that you may have RCC, they’ll ask about your personal and family medical history. They’ll then do a physical exam. Findings that can indicate RCC include swelling or lumps in the abdomen, or, in men, enlarged veins in the scrotal sac (varicocele).

If RCC is suspected, your doctor will order a number of tests to get an accurate diagnosis. These may include:

complete blood count — a blood test conducted by drawing blood from your arm and sending it to a lab for evaluation

CT scan — an imaging test that allows your doctor to take a closer look at your kidneys to detect any abnormal growth

abdominal and kidney ultrasounds— a test that uses sound waves to create a picture of your organs, allowing your doctor to look for tumors and problems within the abdomen

urine examination — tests used to detect blood in the urine and to analyze cells in the urine looking for evidence of cancer

biopsy — the removal of a small piece of kidney tissue, done by inserting a needle into the tumor and drawing out a tissue sample, which is then sent to a pathology lab to rule out or confirm the presence of cancer

If you are found to have RCC, more tests will be done to find out if and where the cancer has spread. This is called staging. RCC is staged from stage 1 to stage 4, in order of ascending severity. Staging tests can include a bone scan, PET scan, and chest X-ray.

Approximately one-third of individuals with RCC have cancer that has spread at the time of diagnosis.

Treatments for renal cell carcinoma

There are five kinds of standard treatments for RCC. One or more may be used to treat your cancer.

Surgery can include different types of procedures. During a partial nephrectomy, part of the kidney is removed. During a nephrectomy, the entire kidney may be removed. Depending on how far the disease has spread, more extensive surgery may be needed to remove surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, and your adrenal gland. This is a radical nephrectomy. If both kidneys are removed, dialysis or a transplant is necessary.

Radiation therapy involves using high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. The radiation can be given externally by a machine or placed internally using seeds or wires.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given orally or intravenously, depending on what medication is chosen. This allows the drugs to go through the bloodstream and reach cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.

Biologic therapy, also called immunotherapy, works with your immune system to attack the cancer. Enzymes or substances made by the body are used to defend your body against the cancer.

Targeted therapy is a newer kind of cancer therapy. Drugs are used to attack certain cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. Some drugs work on blood vessels to prevent blood flow to the tumor, “starving” and shrinking it.

Clinical trials are another option for some patients with RCC. Clinical trials test new treatments to see if they are effective in treating the disease. During the trial, you’ll be closely monitored, and you can leave the trial at any time. Talk with your treatment team to see if a clinical trial is a viable option for you.

Outlook after an RCC diagnosis

The outlook after being diagnosed with RCC depends largely on whether the cancer has spread and how soon treatment is started. The sooner it’s caught, the more likely you are to have a full recovery.

If the cancer has spread to other organs, the survival rate is much lower than if it’s caught before spreading.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for RCC is over 70 percent. This means that over two-thirds of those diagnosed with RCC live at least five years after their diagnosis.

If the cancer is cured or treated, you may still have to live with long-term effects of the disease, which can include poor kidney function.

If a kidney transplant is done, chronic dialysis may be required as well as long-term drug therapy.

+ 4 Sources

out