Page 2 - Kidney Tumours

Kidney tumours

Diagnosis

When a tumour is suspected, imaging by ultrasound, Position for an open radical nephrectomy
CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may
help determine whether it is benign or malignant.
These scans allow your doctor to clarify the tumour’s
nature and whether it is contained within the kidney
or, possibly, invading other tissues. Kidney cancer
can spread to other organs (metastasize). Additional
tests including x-rays of the lung, a bone scan and
blood tests may be required to determine if it has
spread. Biopsy (tissue sampling) of the tumour may be
recommended for some patients and some tumours
to assist with diagnosis and treatment planning.
Position for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Treatment

The treatment of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
depends on a number of factors related to tumour
characteristics and your health. Some tumours may
grow slowly and may safely be observed without
treatment. If surgery is recommended, there are many
surgical options available depending on tumour
size, its location and your health. Your urologist will
recommend what is most appropriate for you. The
following options are available.
In many patients with kidney tumors it is not necessary
If the cancer remains confined to the kidney, surgery to remove the entire kidney. Instead, a partial
to remove the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy) nephrectomy can be performed. In this procedure
may be performed. The adrenal gland and lymph only a part of the kidney including the tumor is
nodes around the kidney may also be removed removed, and the majority of the normal kidney is
depending on the stage and location of the tumour. left in place to continue functioning. This procedure
It is often possible to perform this surgery via a series of is especially appropriate for patients with small
“keyhole” abdominal incisions through which a video tumors or also patients with a single kidney or poor
camera and surgical instruments can be inserted kidney function. Partial nephrectomy may be more
to operate on the kidney (“laparoscopic” radical technically difficult than a radical nephrectomy with
nephrectomy). The laparoscopic technique is not the potential for more complications. Similar to radical
appropriate for all patients or tumours.In some cases nephrectomy, this can be performed with either an
the surgeon may decide a large incision is safer and open or “laparoscopic” approach.
necessary to remove the tumour (“open” radical
nephrectomy). Newer procedures to treat some small kidney
tumours without removing them are used in some
circumstances (e.g., cryoablation, radiofrequency
ablation). These techniques may not be available
at every centre.

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