Kidney Cancer Information
In the United States, it’s estimated that 81,800 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in 2023. At AdventHealth, you can expect the utmost compassion and expertise when it comes to your condition. Our experienced staff utilizes leading-edge techniques by offering procedures such as Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy and Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy.
- Males are at higher risk of getting kidney cancer than females.
- African Americans are diagnosed more frequently.
- Approximately 1 in 46 men will have kidney cancer in their lifetime.
- 50% to 80% of kidney cancer patients are diagnosed incidentally without any clinical symptoms.
Additional Information and Symptoms
- Kidney Cancer Symptoms
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Typically, kidney cancer patients are diagnosed incidentally when they are seeking care for a different condition or unrelated symptoms. Larger tumors are more likely to cause the following symptoms:
- Flank or abdominal pain
- Bloody urine
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Bone pain
The process to first diagnose a tumor is done either through CT scan, ultrasound or MRI. This process helps determine the location and size of the tumor, but does not definitively diagnose whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Determining if the tumor is benign or malignant can only be done by evaluating the tissue specimen after removal.
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
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Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for about 90% of kidney cancers. This type of cancer forms from a tissue located in the kidney. It first starts out as a small growth that enlarges over time and possibly spreads to other parts of the body.
Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
Here at the Global Robotic Institute, we have your best interests in mind. Our leading surgeons at work, dedicated staff and state-of-the-art facilities offer the most advanced procedures in a compassionate environment. Our robotic surgical team, lead by Dr. Vipul Patel, is one of the world's most experienced teams, having performed over 16,000 robotic-assisted surgeries.
The da Vinci® robot allows our experienced surgical team to transfer their skills into a laparoscopic environment. Minimally invasive procedures such as Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy are becoming the gold standard for treatment options. The potential benefits of robotic surgery are numerous and include shorter hospital stays, less risk of infection, less pain and scarring, less blood loss and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
For more kidney cancer information or to discuss this revolutionary Laparoscopic or Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy, contact our caring professionals at AdventHealth.
- Radical Nephrectomy
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Radical Nephrectomy is the complete removal of the affected unit with the surrounding tissue. This includes the fat, adrenal gland, lymph nodes and Gerota’s fascia. This is currently the gold standard for removal of kidney tumors. This can be performed either robotically, laparoscopically or by an open procedure. The majority of renal tumors these days can be removed either robotically or laparoscopically, using small incisions and cameras to visualize and remove the kidney intact. The same kidney specimen is removed as with the open procedure.
The long-term cancer control results are also no different between the open and laparoscopic or robotic procedures.
Benefits of Robotic-Assisted and Laparoscopic Nephrectomy vs. Open Radical:
- Smaller incisions (3-5 keyhole incisions)
- Less blood loss with no need for blood donation or transfusion
- Less pain
- Less narcotic usage
- Earlier discharge home (typical 24-72 hour stay for patient)
- Earlier ambulation
- Faster recovery
The use of robotics in kidney surgery is becoming increasingly prevalent. The daVinci® surgical robot can be used to assist in laparoscopic kidney removal. The patient enjoys the benefits of laparoscopic surgery that are illustrated above, with the additional benefits of:
- Magnified three dimensional visualization
- Miniature wristed surgical instrumentation
- Intuitive motion with tremor filtration and motion scaling
Open Radical involves the removal of the kidney via a large flank or abdominal incision.
- Loin incision (12” or greater - Lower Side / Back)
- One of the most painful surgeries – Rib often has to be removed
- Prolonged Hospitalization 5-7 days
- Due to nerve/ muscle damage, many patients are left with an unsightly bulge
- Partial Nephrectomy
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Partial nephrectomy is a nephron sparing procedure that removes the kidney tumor while leaving the non-cancerous part of the kidney intact. Long-term studies have shown that in appropriately selected patients the results of partial and radical nephrectomy are similar in terms of long-term survival. Partial nephrectomy is becoming the standard of care for many patients with kidney cancer. Partial nephrectomy can be performed both with open, robotic or laparoscopic surgery.
Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy the use of robotics in kidney surgery is becoming increasingly prevalent. This state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedure removes the kidney cancer through small incisions while preserving the remaining normal kidney. The patient enjoyed the benefits of laparoscopic surgery that are illustrated above.
Open Partial Nephrectomy involves an open flank or abdominal incision to localize the kidney. The tumor is located and removed while the rest of the kidney is left intact. The long-term results for cancer control have been favorable.
Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy involves the creation of small holes in the abdomen through which small cameras are passed to visualize and remove the tumor while leaving the rest of the kidney intact.
- Renal Ablation
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Renal Ablation involves destruction of the tumor on the kidney using minimally invasive nephron sparing techniques. The tumor is localized and treated with energy that kills the tumor cells while leaving the surrounding tissue intact and functioning. This results in preservation of the rest of the kidney while the tumor is destroyed. The technology is relatively new and is currently only performed in select centers that have experience with ablative technologies. Short-term results have been promising and have provided a new surgical treatment option to patients that desire not to have the whole kidney removed. Currently, there are two main types of renal ablation.
Radiofrequency Ablation: This involves laparoscopic and/or radiographic localization of the kidney tumor followed by delivery of heat via a small percutaneously placed needle. This allows heating of the tumor and ablation of the cancerous cells. The treatment is monitored in realtime via temperature probes, visually and with the use of ultrasound. Recent experience shows that the procedure is safe and effective for treatment of renal tumors. Further long-term study is ongoing.
Cryoablation: This involves laparoscopic and/or radiographic localization of the kidney tumor followed by freezing the tumor with percutaneously placed needles. This allows cooling of the tumor and ablation of the cancerous cells. The treatment is monitored in realtime via temperature probes, visually and with the use of ultrasound. Recent experience shows that the procedure is safe and effective for treatment of renal tumors. Further long-term study is ongoing.
For more kidney cancer treatment options or to learn about candidacy requirements for robotic kidney surgery, contact us today.