Advances in treating kidney cancer

Kidney most cancers is one the most typical cancers within the U.S., with over 81,000 new diagnoses in 2023 alone. Mayo Clinic sees a excessive quantity of kidney most cancers circumstances and is among the many most skilled establishments in treating kidney tumors.

On this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Aaron Potretzke, a Mayo Clinic urologist, explains how advances in diagnostics and remedy have made kidney cancer extra treatable than ever earlier than.

Most kidney most cancers is found at an early stage when the most cancers is small and confined to the kidney.

“Many sufferers are identified coincidentally by imaging of the abdomen with a small renal mass, and so they have numerous choices,” says Dr. Potretzke.

The surgical method to kidney most cancers has shifted through the years to preserving as a lot of the wholesome kidney as doable. Mayo Clinic has adopted a number of the most superior strategies, equivalent to use of robotics.

“There’s a focus, when it is protected and possible, to eradicating simply the tumor and leaving as a lot of the traditional kidney behind as doable. Doing so is related to elevated long-term kidney perform,” says Dr. Potretzke.

An alternative choice is to carry out an ablation.

“They (radiologists) can stick a collection of needles into the tumor and freeze it, or microwave it to dying, and destroy the tumor whereas sustaining the traditional, wholesome kidney. And there’s a good bit of proof that, within the appropriate affected person, every a kind of methods may be actually profitable,” says Dr. Potretzke.

As a result of many kidney tumors discovered early are comparatively low threat, a 3rd choice is to maintain a detailed eye on it, which is named lively surveillance.

“Not everybody is an acceptable candidate, however for sufferers with smaller renal plenty, the dangers of remedy may very well outweigh the potential benefits,” provides Dr. Potretzke.