Early diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer

The kidneys are a pair of bean-like organs, located on the left and right "waists" and next to the spine. The two kidneys work independently, filtering waste and excess substances such as potassium and sodium from the blood to form urine; the urine is discharged into the renal pelvis and reaches the bladder through a thin tube, the ureter. Renal cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor originating from the urinary tubule epithelial system of the renal parenchyma, also known as renal adenocarcinoma, or kidney cancer for short. So what are the early diagnosis and treatment methods for kidney cancer?

Early kidney cancer often has no symptoms. Once symptoms appear, the tumor may have grown rapidly. As the tumor grows, the following symptoms may gradually appear: hematuria; unexplained pain in the lower back; abdominal mass or swelling; fatigue; unexplained rapid weight loss; fever (not caused by cold or flu); edema of the legs, joints, etc. (due to impaired kidney function and inability to excrete excess water in the body). The above symptoms are not specific and can also be caused by infection. However, you should not take it lightly and must see a doctor. The doctor will determine the cause and take appropriate treatment according to the actual situation.
Kidney cancer has a low incidence rate, so it is not as important as breast cancer and colon cancer, and there is no routine screening. However, regular kidney examinations are necessary for people with long-term dialysis, VHL disease or tuberous sclerosis. Most kidney cancers are discovered accidentally during abdominal imaging examinations for other diseases (such as abdominal pain) or during regular follow-up due to a history of previous malignant diseases.
This type of tumor that is discovered "accidentally" is usually at an early stage, asymptomatic, and can be cured after surgical resection. If a kidney tumor is suspected, doctors often recommend an enhanced abdominal CT or enhanced MRI. The recent emergence of three-dimensional CT and three-dimensional MRI can show more detailed anatomical structures, which is very helpful for surgery. Abdominal ultrasound can help determine whether the tumor is solid, cystic, or contains fluid.
If renal pelvic cancer or transitional cell carcinoma is suspected, it is necessary to first perform a cystoscopy, which uses a small tube with a lens to enter the bladder through the urethra; the second is pyelography; and the third is ureteroscopy, which can reach the renal pelvis and directly observe the tumor. The doctor will take a tumor tissue biopsy or perform surgery according to the situation. After the operation, the doctor will accurately determine the pathological type, the patient's prognosis, and whether further treatment is needed based on the pathology report and staging examination (comprehensive imaging data, mainly CT).