A common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Majority of the people who have this cancer are older. The beginning of it is as a tumour in a kidney. However, there can be several tumours at the beginning in some cases or the tumour can be in both the kidneys. It is also sometimes known as renal cell cancer. There are different treatment options for renal cell carcinoma. If there are early detection and treatment of this disease by a kidney specialist in Kolkata, you can get completely cured.
Symptoms
There may be some symptoms as the disease gets serious. They are:
- Blood in urine
- A lump on your side, lower back or belly
- Losing weight without any reason
- Fatigue
- Anaemia
- Low back pain on one side
- High blood pressure
- High calcium levels in your blood
Causes
The risk of this disease increases due to the following factors:
- Being obese
- Smoking
- Taking painkillers for a long time
- Having hepatitis C
- Having acquired cystic kidney disease
Diagnosis
The top nephrologist in Kolkata will normally carry out a physical exam and ask you some questions to know about the actual condition of your body. He/she may also suggest some diagnostic tests if necessary. These are:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Biopsy
- Ultrasound
- Tests to check your liver functionality
- CT scan
- Nephrectomy
When you are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, the doctor will check the stage of cancer. He/she can decide it on the basis of the tumour size and whether cancer has spread to other body parts. The staging of cancer plays an important role in its treatment.
Treatment
A nephrology doctor in Kolkata uses different methods to treat renal cell carcinoma. The treatment option depends on the stage of cancer, your health condition and whether there are any side effects. The following are the different treatment options:
- Surgery to remove the whole kidney or a part of it
- Biologic drugs boosting the defences of your body for fighting cancer cells
- Some specific drugs
- Targeted therapy attacking certain things required by cancers to survive
- Ablation using radio or cold waves to destroy tumours
You should remember some things while your treatment is going on. They are:
- Eat well:
In order to stay strong during treatment, you need nutrients and calories. You should eat properly at this time. You can have smaller meals at frequent intervals in a day if you can’t eat a large amount at a time.
- Follow your treatment plan:
You should keep your doctor informed about your physical condition during the treatment.
- Keep moving:
For your body as well as your mind, exercise has many benefits. You should also take proper rest along with physical activity as you may feel tired due to the treatment.
- Get support:
Your emotional health is also important. You need mental support from your family and friends. You can also take help of a counsellor.
