Can kidney cancer that has spread to the lungs be cured?

Written by Wang Jian
Urology
Updated on December 14, 2024
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Kidney cancer usually reaches an advanced stage by the time it metastasizes to the lungs, leading to a generally low survival rate. For early and intermediate-stage kidney cancer patients, surgical treatment is typically employed. However, in advanced stages, especially when there are lung metastases, surgical methods are often not suitable. However, if the metastatic foci are small, it is still recommended to remove them surgically. Immunotherapy can be used for lung metastases, such as using interferon or targeted therapy. Targeted therapy tends to be effective, commonly using drugs like sorafenib and sunitinib for first-line or second-line treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. Although a complete cure is not possible, these treatments can significantly prolong the patient's lifespan, improve survival rates, and alleviate symptoms.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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kidney cancer immunotherapy drugs

The immunotherapy for kidney cancer often involves the use of interferons or interleukins, and the results are generally satisfactory. The effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for kidney cancer are not very certain. Typically, after kidney cancer is diagnosed, radical nephrectomy is performed. During the surgery, adequate exposure is essential. The renal hilum should be ligated first to prevent cancer cells from being squeezed into the bloodstream during surgery. It is also necessary to remove the fascia and fat around the kidney, along with the lymph nodes at the renal hilum. Combining these surgical measures with immunotherapy usually yields very ideal results.

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Written by Zou De Bo
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Dietary precautions for renal cancer

Kidney cancer patients should be cautious with their diet and there are three types of food they should absolutely avoid: First, foods high in salt. Kidney cancer patients often suffer from severe kidney dysfunction, leading to edema. Consuming salty foods can increase the body's sodium content, causing sodium retention which is not metabolized in time, exacerbating the swelling. Second, high-fat foods. Excessive fat can also lead to weight gain, and high body fat can burden the kidneys. Third, foods high in potassium. With kidney cancer, patients often have inadequate kidney function and produce less urine, leading to high levels of potassium in the body. Consuming foods high in potassium can further increase blood potassium levels. Therefore, it's advisable for kidney cancer patients to avoid fruits and vegetables high in potassium.

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Can you have sexual intercourse after kidney cancer removal?

After kidney cancer removal, based on an individual's physical condition, sexual activity can still be undertaken. Radical nephrectomy is also the best treatment method. During the surgery, it is often necessary to fully expose the area, first ligating the renal pedicle to prevent squeezing cancer cells into the bloodstream during surgery, while also removing the fascia and fat around the kidney, along with the lymph nodes at the hilum. After the surgery, it is also necessary to complement this with immunotherapy, such as using interferons and interleukins for immune treatment. Patients with kidney cancer can engage in appropriate sexual activities after surgery, but they should not be too strenuous, aiming not to feel tired the following day.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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Survival rate after early removal of kidney cancer

The prognosis of renal cancer is closely related to its clinical staging. If it is in the early stages, surgery is the preferred treatment and the prognosis is very good. Timely surgery followed by subsequent treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, etc., is recommended. For early-stage renal cancer, the five-year survival rate after surgical removal can exceed 90%, and some patients may live without issues for over 20 years. How long someone lives specifically also depends on the individual's constitution and physical condition.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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What are the characteristic symptoms of kidney cancer?

Most kidney cancer patients are discovered during health check-ups, and these patients may account for over 50%-60% of all kidney cancer cases. Among those with symptoms, the most common symptoms are lower back pain and blood in urine. A few patients also present with abdominal masses. 10%-40% of patients can exhibit paraneoplastic syndromes, manifested as high blood pressure, anemia, weight loss, cachexia, fever, abnormal liver function, hyperglycemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and other changes. Additionally, symptoms such as bone pain, fractures, cough, and coughing blood can occur due to tumor metastasis.