Is kidney cancer curable? In many cases, yes, especially when it’s found before it has spread beyond the kidney. Surgery can often remove localized kidney cancer completely.
If the cancer has grown outside the kidney or spread to other parts of the body, treatment becomes more complex. Your outlook also depends on the type of kidney cancer, tumor grade and other factors.
How Is Localized Kidney Cancer Treated?
Surgery is the main treatment for most kidney cancers that haven’t spread. There are two main types:
- Partial nephrectomy removes the tumor and a small amount of tissue around it while leaving the rest of the kidney in place.
- Radical nephrectomy removes the entire kidney and sometimes nearby tissue.
A partial nephrectomy may be an option for a smaller tumor. Larger tumors or those in harder-to-reach areas may require removal of the whole kidney.
Some small kidney tumors don’t need treatment right away. Depending on your health and the tumor, your doctor may recommend active surveillance or a treatment that destroys the tumor with heat or cold.
What Happens With Stage II or Stage III Kidney Cancer?
Stage II kidney cancer is generally larger but remains within the kidney. Stage III cancer may have grown into nearby tissue or major veins or spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Surgery is still the main treatment for many people with stage II or III kidney cancer. This is typically performed by a urologist.
After surgery, your doctor will look at the tumor size, grade and whether cancer was found in nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Some people at higher risk of the cancer returning may also receive additional treatment after surgery.
Can Kidney Cancer Be Cured If It Grows Into a Blood Vessel?
Kidney cancer can sometimes grow into nearby veins, including the renal vein or inferior vena cava.
This is considered locally advanced cancer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the cancer can’t be cured. If it hasn’t spread to distant parts of the body, surgery may still be possible to remove all of the cancer.
What If Kidney Cancer Has Spread?
Kidney cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is called metastatic, or stage IV, kidney cancer.
At this stage, a cure is less common. Treatment usually focuses on controlling the cancer and slowing its growth.
Treatment may include:
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted medications
- Surgery in some cases
- Radiation or ablation for certain areas where cancer has spread
Your treatment plan will depend on where the cancer has spread, the type of kidney cancer, and your overall health. Your urologist will partner with you to bring in other types of specialists to treat stage IV cancer. This may include a medical oncologist or a radiation oncologist.
Does Kidney Cancer Come Back After Surgery?
Kidney cancer can return after surgery, but the risk varies.
A small tumor that hasn’t spread beyond the kidney is less likely to come back than a larger cancer that has grown into nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or major veins.
Regular follow-up care may include imaging and lab tests to watch for signs that the cancer has returned.
What Are the Survival Rates for Kidney Cancer?
The American Cancer Society reports five-year relative survival rates based on how far kidney cancer has spread:
- Localized: 93%
- Regional: 76%
- Distant: 19%
- All stages combined: 79%
These numbers describe large groups of people. They can’t predict what will happen to one person.
Your doctor can give you a better idea of what to expect based on your cancer type, stage, grade and response to treatment.
Is Kidney Cancer Curable? Talk With a Urologist
Kidney cancer is often curable when it’s found before it has spread. Even some locally advanced kidney cancers may still be treated with surgery.
If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer in the Eugene or Springfield area, call Oregon Urology Institute at 541.334.3350 to schedule an appointment.