The number of kidney cancer patients has been increasing every year. One of the reasons is the prevalence of the CT scan, which detects kidney cancer at an early stage. Kidney cancer treatment in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, is highly effective for early-stage cancers. The treatment becomes more complicated when the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Here’s more about stage IV kidney cancer, symptoms, and treatment options.
What is Stage 4 Kidney Cancer?
The kidney, a bean-shaped organ, filters your blood, removes excess fluid from the body, and produces urine. When cells in your kidneys start growing uncontrollably, they form a cancerous tumor within the kidney. The cancer is classified into four stages, in which, the cancerous cells stay confined to the kidneys in the early stage and might spread outside kidneys in the later stages.
The fourth stage is considered the most advanced. It occurs when the cells from the tumor break through the fatty tissue surrounding the kidneys and invade other nearby organs, such as the adrenal glands and lymph nodes.
Where Does Kidney Cancer Spread?
Stage 4 kidney cancer cells can reach different parts of your body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream and might form tumors there. The most common sites that the cancer might invade include:
- Lungs
- Bones
- Brain
- Adrenal glands
- Liver
- Lymph nodes
The lymphatic system, which destroys bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells, might become a site for these abnormal cells to thrive and spread throughout the body.
Stage 4 Kidney Cancer Symptoms
Like other cancer types, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Here are some hallmark signs of kidney cancer in the later stages:
- Blood in the pee (hematuria)
- Pain in your sides, lower back, or abdomen
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight loss without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Fever and night sweats
- Swollen ankles and legs
- A lump in your abdomen
Secondary tumors might cause additional symptoms, depending on where the cancer has spread and the organs it has invaded. The symptoms include:
- Bone pain and frequent fractures (if bones are affected)
- Coughing or shortness of breath (if the tumor has formed in the lungs)
- Headaches or seizures (if it has spread to the brain)
Treatment for Stage 4 Kidney Cancer
For stage 4 kidney cancer, the treatment may involve surgical removal of the diseased portion of the kidney or the entire kidney with lymph nodes and affected nearby tissues. Immunotherapy can help improve your immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells and offer relief.
In most cases, a combination of treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, is used for treatment. Metastatic kidney cancer is difficult to treat, which is why many patients focus on palliative treatment that helps with pain management and improving their quality of life.
Life Expectancy in Stage 4 Kidney Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, in patients with stage 4 kidney cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 18% while the same rates for localized and regional cancers are 93% and 75% respectively. That said, these are only the average numbers. The survival rate can vary depending on your overall health and how your body responds to treatment. To learn more, consult the best urologist in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
