Kidney tumors are the third most common urological problem after prostate cancer and bladder cancer. They include many different histological formations, from benign cysts to metastatic malignant tumors.
Computed tomography is a major test that has completely revolutionized the diagnosis and staging of kidney cancer. The diagnosis is based on the fact that any tumor in the kidney should be considered malignant until proven otherwise, given that only 10% renal solid tumors are benign. Diagnosis can only be made by histopathological examination of kidney tissue (kidney biopsy).
WHAT ARE THE TUMORS?
Renal tumors cover a variety of histological pathologies, ranging from completely benign cysts to very aggressive cancers. Kidney cancer, with over 5,000 new cases per year, is the third most common neoplasm in urology after the prostate and bladder.
Kidney cancer is twice as common in men, with a peak incidence between 60 and 70 years of age. Only 10% solid kidney tumors are benign. The diagnosis is established in most cases by histological examination of a biopsy of the kidney tissue.
High-resolution computed tomography (CT) is a test that has completely revolutionized the diagnosis and staging of kidney cancer. The dogma of generalized radical nephrectomy (NTA) is scientifically obsolete due to the significant contribution of conservative surgery (conventional nephrectomy). Metastatic kidney cancer requires new targeted drugs such as anti-angiogenic therapy.
DIAGNOSTICS OF RENAL CANCER IN SPAIN
There is no systematic screening with ultrasound in general practice, but it is important to establish an early process for diagnosing the disease in patients with Hippel-Lindau (VHL), chronic renal failure (CRF) or kidney transplant patients.
Ultrasound examination of the urinary tract is non-aggressive, simple and reliable, which can always be repeated. It provides useful information about the kidney: it differentiates between liquid or solid lesions or atypical cystic masses, which then require the next CT examination.
RENAL CANCER TREATMENT IN SPAIN:
Currently, surgical treatment (nephrectomy) is the only treatment that offers a treatment with an excellent prognosis for localized tumors. The increasing number of asymptomatic tumors incidentally detected by ultrasound makes this situation more common, allowing conservative treatment with surgery. In addition, new anti-angiogenesis drugs have a future in kidney cancer metastases. In Valencia, laparoscopic nephrectomy is used to treat kidney cancer.
You can make an appointment with us for the diagnosis or direct treatment of kidney cancer. Our experienced specialists will help you solve your problems!
