Is the recurrence rate of kidney cancer high?

Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
Updated on December 29, 2024
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Kidney cancer is associated with a certain recurrence rate. If a patient undergoes partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, it is crucial to schedule regular follow-ups at the hospital to monitor the renal pelvis and check if the cancer has recurred. If the patient has undergone radical nephrectomy, where the affected kidney is entirely removed, it is important to regularly observe the surrounding tissues and distant organ tissues for any signs of tumor metastasis.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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The typical three major symptoms of kidney cancer

The typical three major symptoms of kidney cancer are hematuria, pain, and a mass. If these three symptoms appear, it generally indicates that the condition has reached an advanced stage, at which point the patient may have missed the optimal timing for treatment. Surgery at this stage may also be challenging to perform completely. Therefore, early detection and treatment are essential. The five-year survival rate after kidney cancer surgery is as high as 97% for many people. Thus, overall, the prognosis for kidney cancer is relatively good. However, the best treatment approach remains surgery, including nephron-sparing surgery and radical nephrectomy, depending on the size of the tumor. Generally, for tumors smaller than four centimeters, nephron-sparing treatment can be adopted.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Can kidney cancer patients eat mutton?

Patients with kidney cancer should pay attention to maintaining a balanced intake of nutrients and avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, as well as foods that may increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys. It is advisable to minimize or avoid consumption of lamb. Patients should also avoid drinking alcohol, especially strong spirits, and refrain from smoking and eating pickled items or leftover meals, as these may aggravate the cancer condition. It is recommended to eat garlic and consume fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, pears, and peaches, such as apples, pears, and apricots, to increase intake of vitamins and fiber. The daily diet should be light, with an emphasis on high protein intake, including more fish in the diet.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Is stage II kidney cancer considered early stage?

The staging of kidney cancer is primarily based on the size of the tumor, whether there is lymph node metastasis, involvement of adjacent organs or lymphatic vessels, and metastasis to distant organs. The TNM staging system is commonly used in clinical settings to stage kidney cancer, where "T" represents the depth of tumor invasion, "N" represents the status of lymph node metastasis, and "M" represents distant metastasis. Stage II refers to a tumor with a maximum diameter greater than seven centimeters but confined to the kidney. Stage II is further divided into stage IIA and stage IIB. Stage IIA refers to a tumor with a maximum diameter greater than seven centimeters but less than ten centimeters, confined to the kidney. Stage IIB refers to a tumor with a maximum diameter greater than ten centimeters, but still confined to the kidney. In the case of stage II kidney cancer, although it is an early stage, curative treatment can be achieved through surgery. Therefore, if diagnosed with stage II kidney cancer, it is vital to pursue aggressive treatment.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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Post-nephrectomy care for renal cancer

Postoperative care measures for kidney cancer primarily include observing the patient's vital signs. After a radical nephrectomy for a large renal tumor, a significant amount of tissue is removed including the kidney, surrounding adrenal fat, and lymph nodes at the renal hilum, which results in larger surgical wounds and potentially more bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor for signs of bleeding and ensure that transfusions and fluid administrations are unobstructed. Secondly, careful observation and management of the wound drainage tubes are required. Thirdly, for radical nephrectomies, once the patient is past the anesthesia phase and the blood pressure is stable, a semi-reclined position can be adopted. Patients who have undergone partial nephrectomy should remain in bed for one to two weeks to prevent further bleeding, and kidney functions should be monitored. Additionally, attention should be paid to symptoms such as breath holding and difficulty in breathing. Postoperative feeding should commence once gastrointestinal function is restored; thereafter, nutrition should be enhanced to boost bodily resistance. Calming medications may be appropriately used to ease pain, facilitating movement, effective coughing, and expectoration.

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Written by Zhou Qi
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Can kidney cancer patients be contagious?

Kidney cancer is not an infectious disease, so it is not contagious. Kidney cancer actually occurs when carcinogenic changes happen in the epithelial cells of the renal tubules, leading to the formation of masses and blood in the urine within the kidneys, and can even cause kidney failure. Moreover, kidney cancer carries a certain risk of metastasis, potentially causing damage to other organs. This disease is not contagious. The so-called infectiousness of a disease is due to the presence of pathogens that can cause infection. For example, hepatitis B can be transmitted because carriers have the hepatitis B virus in their bodies. Kidney cancer, however, does not involve viruses, bacteria, or fungi, so it is not infectious.