Treatment FAQ

lung cancer and kidney cancer what is first treatment

by Daren Beahan Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Lung cancer is often treated with chemotherapy or a combination of chemo and immunotherapy

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the treatment of disease by activating or suppressing the immune system. Immunotherapies designed to elicit or amplify an immune response are classified as activation immunotherapies, while immunotherapies that reduce or suppress are classified as suppression immunotherapies.

. At the same time, there is still some overlap in how kidney and lung cancer are treated. For both advanced kidney and lung cancer, immunotherapy is often an option.

Full Answer

How are lung cancer and kidney cancer treated?

Lung cancer is often treated with chemotherapy or a combination of chemo and immunotherapy. At the same time, there is still some overlap in how kidney and lung cancer are treated. For both advanced kidney and lung cancer, immunotherapy is often an option.

What are the treatment options for Stage IV kidney cancer?

Active surveillance is another option for some people with small kidney tumors. With active surveillance, the tumor is watched closely (with CTs or ultrasounds) and only treated if it grows. Stage IV kidney cancer means the cancer has grown outside of the kidney or has spread to other parts of the body such as distant lymph nodes or other organs.

What is the best way to remove kidney cancer?

These cancers are usually removed with surgery when possible. There are two common approaches: Partial nephrectomy (removing part of the kidney). This is often the treatment of choice in tumors up to 7 cm (a little less than 3 inches) if it can be done.

What kind of surgery is needed for kidney cancer?

If the cancer has not spread beyond the kidneys, surgery to remove the tumor, part or all of the kidney, and possibly nearby tissue and lymph nodes, may be the only treatment needed. Types of surgery used for kidney cancer include the following procedures: Radical nephrectomy.

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Can kidney and lung cancer be cured?

Because advanced kidney cancer is very hard to cure, clinical trials of new combinations of targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or other new treatments are also options. For some people, palliative treatments such as radiation therapy may be the best option.

What is the primary treatment option for kidney cancer?

For most kidney cancers, surgery is the initial treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer while preserving normal kidney function, when possible. Operations used to treat kidney cancer include: Removing the affected kidney (nephrectomy).

Is it common for lung cancer to spread to kidneys?

Despite the fact that the renal blood flow accounts for approximately 20% of the total cardiac output, the kidneys are not likely to develop blood-borne metastases. Clinically diagnosed isolated metastasis to the kidney from NSCLC is extremely rare.

Which is worse lung cancer or kidney cancer?

This distinction can affect treatment choices and rates of survival. “Kidney cancer spreads primarily to the lungs making the detection of a primary lung cancer difficult. Lung cancer is typically more aggressive than kidney cancer.

Where does kidney cancer usually spread to first?

Kidney cancer most often spreads to the lungs and bones, but it can also go to the brain, liver, ovaries, and testicles. Because it has no symptoms early on, it can spread before you even know you have it.

Does Chemo work on kidney cancer?

Because kidney cancer cells usually do not respond well to chemo, chemo is not a standard treatment for kidney cancer. Some chemo drugs, such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and gemcitabine have been shown to help a small number of patients.

How is kidney cancer in the lungs treated?

Kidney cancer is most often treated with surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are occasionally used.

Does kidney cancer spread fast?

“Low grades of kidney cancer tend to be slow-growing, while high grades can multiply fast. The other types that are found to be more aggressive are papillary (types 1 & 2), chromophobe, medullary and oncocytic.”

How long do you have to live if you have kidney cancer?

Survival for all stages of kidney cancer around 80 out of every 100 (around 80%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed. around 65 out of every 100 (around 65%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed.

How long do stage 4 kidney cancer patients live?

Outlooks are often talked about in terms of survival rates. For example, a five-year survival rate refers to what percentage of people lived at least five more years after a cancer diagnosis....Five-year survival rate by stage.StageFive-year survival rate48%3 more rows

How fast does kidney cancer progress?

The growth rate of renal masses in that study was 0.28 cm/year (range 0.09–0.86 cm/year). A somewhat faster growth rate was observed in the subgroup of patients with pathologically confirmed renal cancer (0.4 cm/year, range 0.42–1.6 cm/year).

What are the final stages of kidney cancer?

Fluid retention, which could lead to swelling in your arms and legs, high blood pressure, or fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) A sudden rise in potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia), which could impair your heart's ability to function and may be life-threatening.

How long does a kidney cancer patient live?

The average life expectancy of patients with cancer of the kidney (MO) who received radical treatment, who subsequently developed lung metastases but did not undergo lung resection, was 18.4 months after nephrectomy (9 patients died due to tumor progression).

Where do most distant metastases of kidney cancer occur?

The most often distant metastases of kidney cancer occur in the lungs. Patients with this pathology can be divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent radical nephrectomy, and metastases to the lungs appeared later (MO).

How long do people live after a lung resection?

At 8 people living now after a resection of the lungs has passed from 12 days to 993 days (32.7 months), an average of 17.7 months. 5 patients were resected lungs 2 and 3 times with an interval of 1-5 months. Of these, 3 are alive and lived an average of 24.3 months (2.0 years) after the first lung resection.

How many patients have distant metastases?

The situation is aggravated by the fact that at the time of primary treatment 32-34% of patients have distant metastases (Ml), and in 30-40% of radically operated patients they occur in the long term. Thus, more than half of the patients who have kidney cancer face the problem of distant metastases. The most often distant metastases of kidney ...

Is targeted therapy effective?

The use of targeted therapy has shown sufficient effectiveness, which led some experts to question the advisability of performing surgical interventions for this group of patients. However, most researchers still believe that the combination of surgical treatment and targeted therapy gives the best results. In the clinic of the Donetsk regional ...

Can thoracoscopic surgery be done in both lungs?

When there are metastases of kidney cancer in the lungs, multiple operations are justified. In the presence of metastases in both lungs, simultaneous two-way thoracoscopic operations can reduce the number of operations and improve the quality of life of patients.

How to remove kidney cancer?

These cancers are usually removed with surgery when possible. There are two common approaches: 1 Partial nephrectomy (removing part of the kidney). This is often the treatment of choice in tumors up to 7 cm (a little less than 3 inches) if it can be done. 2 Radical nephrectomy (removing the entire kidney).

What is stage IV kidney cancer?

Stage IV kidney cancer means the cancer has grown outside of the kidney or has spread to other parts of the body such as distant lymph nodes or other organs. Treatment of stage IV kidney cancer depends on how extensive the cancer is and on the person’s general health. In some cases, surgery may still be a part of treatment.

What is the best treatment for metastatic cancer?

Surgery or radiation therapy can also be used to help reduce pain or other symptoms of metastases in some other places, such as the bones. You can read more about palliative treatment for cancer in Palliative (Supportive) Care or in Advanced Cancer, Metastatic Cancer, and Bone Metastasis.

What to do if you can't have kidney surgery?

If you can't have kidney surgery because of other serious medical problems, you might benefit from other local treatments such as cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation. Radiation therapy may be another option. These treatments are generally only given when surgery can’t be done.

What is the treatment for cancer after surgery?

Treatment given after surgery is known as adjuvant therapy .

What is stage 3 cancer?

Stages I, II, or III. Stage I and II cancers are still contained in the kidney. Stage III cancers either have grown into nearby large veins or have spread to nearby lymph nodes. These cancers are usually removed with surgery when possible. There are two common approaches:

Does kidney removal help you live longer?

This is based on recent information that shows removal of the kidney in this case does not help people live longer. The first treatment choice would be systemic therapy, which might consist of two immunotherapy drugs, a targeted therapy drug with an immunotherapy drug, or a targeted therapy drug alone.

What is the treatment for kidney cancer?

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams from sources such as X-rays and protons to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is sometimes used to control or reduce symptoms of kidney cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones and brain. Clinical trials.

What is the procedure to remove kidney cancer?

Operations used to treat kidney cancer include: Removing the affected kidney (nephrectomy). A complete (radical) nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney, a border of healthy tissue and occasionally additional nearby tissues such as the lymph nodes, adrenal gland or other structures.

What is the next step in a kidney cancer diagnosis?

Kidney cancer staging. Once your doctor identifies a kidney lesion that might be kidney cancer, the next step is to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. Staging tests for kidney cancer may include additional CT scans or other imaging tests your doctor feels are appropriate.

What is clinical trial?

Clinical trials are research studies that give you a chance to try the latest innovations in kidney cancer treatment. Some clinical trials assess the safety and effectiveness of potential treatments. Other clinical trials try to find new ways to prevent or detect disease.

What is the procedure to remove a sample of kidney tissue?

Removing a sample of kidney tissue (biopsy). In some situations, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a small sample of cells (biopsy) from a suspicious area of your kidney. The sample is tested in a lab to look for signs of cancer. This procedure isn't always needed.

What tests can you do to see if you have kidney tumors?

Blood and urine tests. Tests of your blood and your urine may give your doctor clues about what's causing your signs and symptoms. Imaging tests. Imaging tests allow your doctor to visualize a kidney tumor or abnormality. Imaging tests might include ultrasound, X-ray, CT or MRI.

How big is a kidney tumor?

Diagnosis. The tumor can be up to 2 3/4 inches (7 centimeters) in diameter. The cancer is only in one kidney and completely contained within it. The tumor is larger than 2 3/4 inches (7 centimeters) in diameter, but it's still confined to the kidney.

What is the treatment for lung cancer?

Depending on its type and stage, lung cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or other medications, radiation therapy, local treatments such as laser therapy, or a combination of treatments. Combination treatment or multimodality treatment refers to having more than one type of treatment. Treatment for lung cancer includes one or more ...

What is the name of the immunotherapy drug that is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer?

One type of immunotherapy drug, called “anti-PD-1” has been shown to cause significant tumor regression in a quarter of patients who receive it after a round of chemotherapy.Three immunotherapy drugs—pembrolizumab, atezolizumab and nivolumab—have been approved to treat certain non-small cell lung cancers.

What is neoadjuvant treatment?

Neoadjuvant treatment refers to having radiation or chemotherapy before surgery. Having one or both of these before surgery may help shrink the tumor, as a smaller tumor is easier to take out in surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation soon after surgery is called adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant treatment is to kill any cancer cells ...

What are the different types of lung surgery?

Types of surgery include: 1 Segmental or wedge resection: Removal of only a small part of the lung 2 Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung 3 Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung 4 Sleeve resection: Removal of a piece of bronchus, after which the lung is reattached to the remaining part of the bronchus

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted Therapy. Targeted therapy is like chemotherapy in that it goes throughout the body in search of tumor cells. These are drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells or nearby cells that help them grow. So far, these drugs have only been found to be useful for some non-small cell lung cancers.

What is the treatment for cancer after surgery?

Chemotherapy or radiation soon after surgery is called adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant treatment is to kill any cancer cells that may be left after the surgery. Even if there is no sign of cancer cells, your doctor may suggest adjuvant treatment, as it may lower the risk that the cancer will come back or spread.

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy is given through an IV infusion, in most cases. chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cells’ ability to grow or reproduce.

How is kidney cancer treated?

Kidney cancer is most often treated with surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are occasionally used. People with kidney cancer that has spread, called metastatic cancer (see below), often receive multiple lines of therapy.

What is standard of care for kidney cancer?

This section explains the types of treatments that are the standard of care for kidney cancer. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. When making treatment plan decisions, you are encouraged to consider clinical trials as an option. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment.

What is the procedure to remove a tumor from the kidney?

Radical nephrectomy. Surgery to remove the tumor, the entire kidney, and surrounding tissue is called a radical nephrectomy. If nearby tissue and surrounding lymph nodes are also affected by the disease, a radical nephrectomy and lymph node dissection is performed.

What is the name of the team that works with a patient to create a treatment plan?

This is called a multidisciplinary team . For kidney cancer, the health care team usually includes these individuals: Urologist.

What is clinical trial?

Clinical trials are an option to consider for treatment and care for all stages of cancer. Your doctor can help you consider all your treatment options. Learn more about clinical trials in the About Clinical Trials and Latest Research sections of this guide.

What do doctors want to learn about new treatments?

Doctors want to learn whether the new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the standard treatment. Clinical trials can test a new drug, a new combination of standard treatments, or new doses of standard drugs or other treatments.

When is radiation therapy used?

Radiation therapy is used only if a patient cannot have surgery and, even then, usually only on areas where the cancer has spread and not on the primary kidney tumor. Most often, radiation therapy is used when the cancer has spread. This is done to help ease symptoms, such as bone pain or swelling in the brain.

What is systemic therapy for kidney cancer?

Targeted Therapy for Kidney Cancer. Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer. Chemotherapy for Kidney Cancer.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

What is the name of the doctor who treats cancer?

A urologist: a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the urinary system (and male reproductive system) A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. You might have many other specialists on ...

Is treatment information given here official policy of the American Cancer Society?

The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

Can you continue cancer treatment?

Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

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