Kidney tumors can be operated either by conventional open surgery or by laparoscopy (Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy). Laparoscopic or Laproscopic cancer surgery has several advantages over conventional open surgery with same cure rate. Only surgery is curative in most of the cancers. Additional therapies (chemotherapy & radiotherapy) are mostly supportive. But, many patients and their relatives try to avoid surgery for the fear of the immense trauma for their loved ones, resulting in patient getting wrong or less effective treatment. With laparoscopy the trauma is much less and makes the treatment more acceptable. The Team MACS precisely addresses all these issues and works relentlessly for a better life.
Early kidney cancers don’t usually cause any symptoms. However, now-a-days these are often diagnosed by chance when people are having tests or scans for some other reason. Delayed diagnosis is rare as ultrasound scan of abdomen is routinely used.
The classical symptoms that are seen especially when the tumor grows larger are:
- blood or sometimes blood clots in the urine (haematuria)
- a lump in the abdomen on the side of the tumor
- a dull pain in the side between your upper abdomen and back
- rarely a combination of high temperature, night sweats, feeling very tired, or losing weight for no obvious reason may be seen.
Today kidney cancers are mostly diagnosed based on scans (CT or MRI). No biopsy is needed as the images give clear idea about the presence of disease. However, if there is any doubt, a needle biopsy (FNAC) may be used to confirm the diagnosis.