Nearly 80,000 new cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed annually. When diagnosed before it spreads, kidney cancer has a very high survival rate — and Modern Urology physicians Jose Vilaro, MD, and Adam De Fazio, MD, JD, are here to help you survive and thrive. If you’re recently diagnosed with kidney cancer or need help with issues like blood in your urine, call the Miami, Florida, office or book your appointment online now.
Kidney cancer happens when cells in your kidneys grow too fast, forming a malignant mass. Most kidney masses are malignant; however, about one-quarter are benign. Types of kidney cancer include:
About 85% of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas, which develop in the kidney’s filtration system.
Urothelial carcinomas start when urine collects within the kidney. Around 5-10% of all malignant kidney masses are urothelial carcinomas.
Rarer types of kidney cancer include sarcomas, Wilms tumors (usually in children), and lymphomas.
Kidney cancer rarely causes symptoms early on, but if you experience symptoms, they may include:
If you have kidney cancer, your blood tests may also show a low red blood cell count (anemia).
Because many people don’t have clear-cut symptoms with early-stage kidney cancer, more than 50% of malignant masses are discovered during testing or screening for other reasons.
Some tests you may need to diagnose kidney cancer include urinalysis, a complete blood count (CBC), and blood chemistry tests. You may also need an ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, bone scan, or X-ray.
Some people need a kidney biopsy, an outpatient procedure in which your doctor takes a small tissue sample from your kidney mass for testing in the lab.
Treatment varies with the type of tumor, its location, whether it’s spreading, and other individual factors. Some of the different treatment options include:
If it’s impossible to destroy or remove the tumor, you might need other treatments like radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy. These approaches are sometimes combined with surgery also.
Kidney cancer responds to treatment in most cases — but starting early treatment is crucial. At Modern Urology, the highly experienced kidney cancer specialists are ready to guide you to recovery. Call the Miami office or use the online booking feature to schedule your appointment today.