Kidney cancer or renal cell cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers as it can spread outside the kidney to multiple parts of the body. Cancer in the kidneys develops if cells in a person’s kidney start growing abnormally. The survival rate of the patient and the best treatment of it depends on the stage of cancer. For instance, if someone has stage 4 kidney cancer, it means the abnormal growth is not limited to the kidneys but has spread to the lymph nodes, adrenal glands, and several organs. So, what kind of treatment is the most effective when the kidney cancer is in an advanced stage and what are the chances of the person’s survival. This article answers all questions related to kidney cancer stage IV.
Stage 4 kidney cancer: an overview
Humans have two kidneys situated at the back of their abdomen. Kidneys are a part of your urinary tract, and they are responsible for filtering waste present in blood and producing urine. The mutation of cells in the kidneys can make those cells cancerous. Stage 4 renal cancer indicates that the cancerous cells spread to other parts, that is, reach the adrenal glands and multiple organs.
Symptoms at Advanced Kidney Cancer
The common symptoms of metastatic kidney cancer are not the same as stage I kidney cancer symptoms. Half of the people with renal cancer have no symptoms during the first two phases. But advanced kidney cancer has the following symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Swollen or large lymph nodes
- Bloody urine
- Paraneoplastic syndrome (high levels of calcium, high BP, and excess red blood cells)
- Enlarged veins in the scrotum
- If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, going for cancer diagnosis will be wise.
Life Expectancy with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer
For any cancer, doctors calculate the life expectancy as the percentage of survivors who are alive even 5 years after the cancer got detected. According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate of stage 4 kidney canceris low.
Survival rates are classified as localized (meaning the cancer is present in the same organ where it originated), regional (cancer spreading to nearby organs), and distant (spreading to other distant body parts). As metastatic cancer is distant, the survival rate is only 15 percent. How many years a person will live depends on factors like overall health, cancer stage, extent of the cancer development, and the patient’s age.
Metastatic Cancer Treatment
Before beginning treatment, doctors weigh the kidney cancer prognosis factors along with the patient’s age and overall condition. These are the treatments for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma:
1. Systemic therapies
When surgery is out of question, how to doctors treat stage 4 renal cancer? Studies have revealed that a combination of different medications can make the pain bearable and help the person live for a few more years.
First, the doctor performs a biopsy which means collecting a sample of the tumor. The biopsy result will reveal if the person has non-clear cell or clear cell. Based on this, the doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment plan to stop the cancer cells from spreading further. Then the doctor may advise targeted therapy for renal cancer and the usual medications are:
- tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) kinase inhibitors
- angiogenesis inhibitors
Immunotherapy for kidney cancer is another option and it involves:
- nivolumab and pembrolizumab, which are known as monoclonal antibody medications
- cytokine therapy
2. Surgery
Surgery for kidney cancer is more common in stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 as the tumor can be isolated and eliminated. For stage 4 kidney cancer, sometimes it can be too late to do surgery. Even if surgery is possible, the patient may require a cytoreductive nephrectomy to prolong their life and lower the pain. This would involve surgically getting rid of most of the affected kidney or the whole kidney.
For metastasized cancer, removal of all of the tumors might not be possible. In that case, doctors remove at least the primary tumor to ensure other treatments show some positive outcomes.
3. Clinical trial
Doctors are constantly researching new treatments for kidney cancer to expand the lifespan of patients. Clinical trials are mandatory to find out how successful new treatments can be. So, some patients opt for clinical trials for renal cell carcinoma. For that, you can discuss with your doctor and enroll yourself in a clinical trial. So, help with the side effects, the doctor may suggest supportive treatments.
What Is Palliative Care for Kidney Cancer
Once the cancer has spread, many patients need palliative treatment. In this treatment, a dedicated team of trained healthcare professionals curate a treatment plan to meet the practical, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural needs of the patient. The team remains supportive to the patient and their family throughout the journey.
Lifestyle Changes Along with Kidney Cancer Treatment
Living with cancer affects an individual’s emotional and physical health. The patient may lose weight, feel fatigued, experience pain, and become depressed. So, healthcare professionals recommend multiple ways to ease the symptoms of advanced renal cell carcinoma.
- If you are fighting stage 4 kidney cancer, the disease has already taken a toll on your body. Staying hydrated and eating healthy will help you regain energy. So, even if you don’t have an appetite, keep having small, nutritious meals to boost your immunity.
- One of the side effects of advanced RCC is pain and over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen can provide relief. There are other ways to decrease pain and inflammation, and these include massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, and physical therapy.
- Someone with kidney cancer should immediately stop smoking as cigarettes are loaded with toxic chemicals. If you can’t resist the cravings, opt for smoking cessation sessions to acquire the inner strength.
- Exercising will increase your ability to fight infections and lift your mood. However, intense workout is not advisable during any stage of kidney cancer.
- Cancer and cancer treatments end up weakening the immune system, thus making the patient more prone to infections. Simple measures like washing hands before having food and wearing a mask in crowded places will minimize the risks of a range of infections.
- Did you know that there are renal cancer support groups to help people having advanced RCC? The idea behind creating such support groups is to give encouragement to cancer patients and offer them a platform where they can get comfort and stare their stories with others who have been going through the same.
The Final Thought
We may conclude by saying that finding out you or someone close to you has renal cancer can be a traumatic experience. However, it is crucial to remain positive, visit an esteemed oncologist regularly, and take medications on time. It is equally to make certain lifestyle alterations to address the symptoms and side effects of stage 4 kidney cancer. So, while going through cancer treatment, every patient must pay attention to their doctor’s advice to support their overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What treatment options are available for stage 4 kidney cancer?
Oncologists consider various factors before determining the most reliable treatment option for kidney cancer. Metastatic kidney cancer treatments include systemic therapy, surgery, and clinical trials.
Q. How can quality of life be improved for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma?
Managing your daily life can be challenging if you’ve been diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma. To better the quality of your life, you should eat a nutrient-rich diet, remain physically active, learn to alleviate pain, quit smoking, and be a part of a support group.
