FINDING AND DIAGNOSING ccRCC CAN BE HARD
When doctors find a mass, the first thing they need to know is if it is cancer. Then, they must find out what specific type of cancer it is, as this can determine what is done next.1
Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans can detect kidney tumors and confirm if they are solid or fluid filled (cystic).1 However, they are often unable to provide doctors with conclusive information about the nature of the tumor.2
In kidney cancer, doctors often surgically remove the entire tumor (a partial nephrectomy, pronounced nuh-frek-tuh-me), then send it to a lab. The tissue sample is evaluated to see if cancer cells are present and if so, which type of cancer it is. Then, doctors can recommend the best treatment option for that specific cancer.1
Treatment options are based on the stage of ccRCC, as well as a person’s overall health1
Surgical treatment options
In most cases, surgery is the first treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).2 The goal is to remove the cancer while keeping as much healthy kidney tissue as possible.3
Types of surgery used to treat ccRCC include:
- Removing the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy)2
- Removing the tumor and some of the surrounding healthy kidney tissue (partial nephrectomy)2,3
Nonsurgical treatment options
ccRCC can sometimes be treated without surgery by burning or freezing the cancer cells to kill them.1 This is often offered to people who have other health problems that could make surgery riskier, such as kidney disease, or to patients with small renal masses.3,4
Nonsurgical treatments for ccRCC include1:
- Freezing the cancer cells (cryoablation, pronounced cry-oh-uh-blay-shun)
- Burning the cancer cells (radiofrequency ablation, pronounced ray-dee-oh-free-kwen-see uh-blay-shun)
Active surveillance
Not all small tumors are cancer, and certain known cancer types are unlikely to get worse. In these cases, the risk of treatment may outweigh the risks of the tumor itself.5
The decision to “watch and wait” (active surveillance) is an option for many patients. With “watch and wait,” doctors monitor the kidney tumor with frequent imaging. Some people do not require any treatment. For others, signs of tumor growth may mean that more treatment is needed rather than continued observation.5
Talking with your doctor about your options
It’s important to talk with your doctor about a care plan that can help you manage any treatment side effects.1
