Definition
Clear cell renal carcinoma (so called because it is rich in glycogen and lipids) is the most violent and common form of kidney cancer (65%): this neoplasm involves numerous alterations of the cells located in the renal tubule. Among other frequent forms of kidney cancer, we cannot forget papillary carcinoma of types I and II, and carcinoma of the collecting ducts. Again, kidney cancer can originate in the renal pelvis and transitional cells.
Causes
What the statistics show is that kidney cancer is strongly influenced by smoking, obesity and hypertension; consequently, smokers, people who are obviously overweight and hypertensive are the most possible and probable targets of kidney cancer. Males are more affected by kidney cancer than women, especially if they are elderly and genetically predisposed. Finally, it appears that exposure - for work reasons - to substances such as heavy metals and petroleum derivatives may also promote kidney cancer.
Symptoms
This neoplastic form also begins in an almost asymptomatic manner, or in any case with non-specific and vague symptoms; as a result, cancer tends to be diagnosed when it is in the advanced stage. In the advanced stage, the most recurrent symptoms are: anemia, asthenia and general malaise, weight loss, loss of appetite, back pain, the presence of a solid mass in the abdomen, dark and / or bloody urine.
Information on Kidney Cancer - Kidney Cancer Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Kidney Cancer - Kidney Cancer Treatment Drugs.
Medicines
The treatments used in therapy for the treatment of kidney cancer are different according to the stage of progress of the cancer and the location of the diseased cells:
- Surgical removal of the tumor: indicated for the treatment of clear cell carcinoma. This procedure increases the life expectancy of kidney cancer patients in the metastatic stage. The surgical option is considered in 90% of patients with kidney cancer; clearly, the removal of a part or the whole organ depends on the expansion of the diseased cells.
- Radiotherapy or cryotherapy: little-used procedures to treat kidney cancer; in general, the patient is subjected to these treatments exclusively for palliative purposes, since they do not lead to the complete destruction of the tumor.
- Immunotherapy: involves the administration of cytokines, interleukin 2 or interferon. Typically, this therapy fully exerts its therapeutic activity for kidney tumors without distant metastasis or invasion of diseased cells into the lymph nodes.
- Chemotherapy: reserved for kidney tumors affecting the renal pelvis. Chemotherapy, in fact, has no therapeutic effect for the complete resolution of kidney cancer.
The following are the classes of anticancer drugs most used in therapy against kidney cancer, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Sunitinib (eg Sutent): this drug appears to be the most used for the treatment of kidney cancer. Its therapeutic action is enhanced when combined with bevacizumab and interferon. Generally, the recommended dosage is 50 mg orally, once a day, with or without food, for 4-6 weeks.
- Bevacizumab (eg Avastin) administer 10 mg / kg intravenously every 2 weeks in combination with interferon alfa.
- Sorafenib (eg Nexavar): second-choice drug for the treatment of kidney cancer (class: protein kinase inhibitor). Take two 200 mg tablets twice a day, preferably between meals or with a low-fat meal. Pharmacological treatment should be continued until the symptoms improve without too many side effects. The drug carries out its therapeutic action by slowing down the growth of diseased cells, as well as hindering the blood supply to malignant cells (which would serve them to grow and cause damage).
- Medroxyprogesterone (eg Farlutal, Provera G, Filena) belongs to the class of hormonal contraceptives and antineoplastics. It should be taken at a dosage of 400-1,000 mg intramuscularly, once a week. Thereafter, reduce the dose to 400 mg i.m. once a month. Consult your doctor.
- Erlotinib (eg Tarceva): although used mainly for the treatment of pancreatic and lung cancer, the drug is also used in therapy for kidney cancer, especially in an advanced or metastic stage. The dosage should be established by the doctor.
- Temsirolimus (eg Torisel) indicated for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma at a dosage of 25 mg, to be taken by i.v. infusion. 30-60 minutes, once a week. The drug is a rapamycin inhibitor (mTOR) and works by slowing the growth and expansion of the cancer.
- Capecitabine (eg. Xeloda): this drug is widely used in therapy for the treatment of breast and colorectal cancer. However, it is sometimes used in the treatment of kidney cancer.
- Aldesleukin: the drug belongs to the class of interleukins and is used in therapy for the treatment of kidney cancer at a dosage of 0.037 mg / kg for slow infusion of 8 hours, for a maximum of 14 doses. Consult your doctor.
- Interferon alfa 2 (eg Pegasys, Roferon-A): administer the drug subcutaneously 3 times a week at a dose of 4.5 million units; it is possible to increase the dosage to 18 million units (when tolerated) during the first month of treatment. The maintenance dose - based on the tolerability of side effects - is generally estimated around three weeks, but can continue for up to 2 years if the patient with kidney cancer responds positively or in any case if the disease stabilizes.
