What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancer types seen in adults. It generally emerges between the ages of 40 and 70 and is twice as common in men compared to women. In our country, approximately 5,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year. Kidney cancer cases are increasing in Turkey, similar to the global trend. Although the exact cause of this increase is unknown, risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, exposure to toxic chemicals, and genetic factors play a significant role in the development of the disease.
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?
The classic symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine (hematuria), flank pain, and a palpable mass on the side of the abdomen. However, only 10–15% of patients experience these symptoms. Kidney cancer can often progress without symptoms, and when the disease reaches advanced stages, it may cause complaints such as bone pain, coughing, jaundice, and weight loss. Early diagnosis provides a survival advantage of over 85%. Therefore, it is critically important for individuals with a family history of kidney cancer and those carrying risk factors to have regular urological check-ups.
How is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?
The diagnosis process begins with the patient’s complaints, medical history, and physical examination. The doctor checks for hardness or a mass in the lateral abdominal regions. Laboratory examinations such as blood biochemistry and urine tests help determine kidney function and whether there is blood in the urine. Imaging methods play the most crucial role in diagnosis. Advanced examinations such as Ultrasound (US), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and PET/CT if necessary, are used.
Kidney Cancer Treatment Options
The fundamental treatment method for kidney cancer is surgery. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, either the entire kidney is removed (radical nephrectomy) or only the cancerous tissue is taken (partial nephrectomy). Today, these surgeries are performed in many centers using laparoscopic or robotic surgical techniques. These methods offer the advantages of less pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.
For small tumors, ablative therapies such as microwave, radiofrequency ablation, or cryotherapy may also be applied to preserve the kidney tissue. With these techniques, the tumor is targeted and destroyed, while minimizing damage to the kidney.
If the cancer has spread to other organs, targeted therapies and medications that activate the immune system (immunotherapy) are used in addition to surgical treatment. These new treatment methods increase patients’ lifespan and quality of life.
What is Laparoscopic and Robotic Nephrectomy?
Radical nephrectomy is the gold standard for kidney cancer treatment. Laparoscopic and robotic methods are less invasive compared to traditional open surgery. The operation is performed through small incisions of 1–2 cm on the body using special instruments. This accelerates the patient’s recovery time, shortens the hospital stay, and reduces post-operative pain.
Advantages of Laparoscopic/Robotic Partial Nephrectomy
In small kidney tumors at an early stage, partial nephrectomy—the removal of only the cancerous part of the kidney—is preferred. During the surgery, blood flow to the kidney is temporarily halted to control bleeding, the tumor is then removed, and the remaining kidney tissue is repaired. Robotic and laparoscopic methods both increase surgical success and enhance patient comfort. Scientific studies support the primary recommendation of these techniques for suitable patients.