The type of treatment you’re offered depends on the type of kidney cancer you have, what stage it’s at and whether the cancer has spread.
Surgery
Surgery is the main kidney cancer treatment that’s contained to the kidney. In stage 1 and 2 kidney cancers, surgery can often remove the cancer. Sometimes, stage 3 kidney cancer can be treated by surgery too.
During surgery, surgeons will try to remove the tumour and leave as much of your kidney as possible.
But if the cancer is too large – bigger than 7cm – your surgeon may remove the whole kidney.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
If you are not fit for surgery and you have an early-stage cancer, your consultant might recommend that you have radiofrequency ablation. This treatment uses heat made by radio waves to remove cancer cells from your body. This type of kidney cancer treatment means no incision is needed.
Freezing therapy
Also called cryotherapy, this is when a surgeon freezes the cancer cells in your kidney by using a cryotherapy probe to get rid of them. It’s an option for people who can’t have surgery because of other medical problems.
For some people, kidney cancer comes back after surgery. If this happens, your consultant might recommend you have the cancer removed with surgery. Or you might be recommended certain medicine to try and lower the chance of the cancer returning.
Systemic therapy
Systemic therapy uses anti-cancer medication to treat cancer cells in the body. It’s often given as a tablet, but may also be delivered into the bloodstream via a drip. If the kidney cancer is at an advanced stage (metastatic), this therapy may be suggested by a consultant, but this does depend upon the type of kidney cancer.
After treatment
You’ll have regular check-ups following your treatment. How often and for how long depends on the kind of treatment that you had.
At follow-up appointments, your doctor will ask how you’re feeling and examine you. You might also need a blood test, chest X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound or a combination.
If you’re worried or spot any new symptoms between appointments, you should tell your consultant as soon as you can.
Paying for your treatment
You have two options to pay for your treatment – your costs may be covered by your private medical insurance, or you can pay for yourself. Check with your private medical insurer to see if your diagnostic costs are covered under your medical insurance policy. If you are paying for your own treatment the cost of the procedure will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation.
Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the consultants’ fees and hospital charges for your diagnostics and procedure.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to read more about kidney cancer, treatment or living with kidney cancer, please visit cancerresearchuk.org.uk.