Post-nephrectomy care for renal cancer

Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Postoperative care measures for kidney cancer primarily include observing the patient's vital signs. After a radical nephrectomy for a large renal tumor, a significant amount of tissue is removed including the kidney, surrounding adrenal fat, and lymph nodes at the renal hilum, which results in larger surgical wounds and potentially more bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor for signs of bleeding and ensure that transfusions and fluid administrations are unobstructed. Secondly, careful observation and management of the wound drainage tubes are required. Thirdly, for radical nephrectomies, once the patient is past the anesthesia phase and the blood pressure is stable, a semi-reclined position can be adopted. Patients who have undergone partial nephrectomy should remain in bed for one to two weeks to prevent further bleeding, and kidney functions should be monitored. Additionally, attention should be paid to symptoms such as breath holding and difficulty in breathing. Postoperative feeding should commence once gastrointestinal function is restored; thereafter, nutrition should be enhanced to boost bodily resistance. Calming medications may be appropriately used to ease pain, facilitating movement, effective coughing, and expectoration.

Other Voices

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How long does it take for kidney cancer to progress from early to late stage?

It will likely take about two years. Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor with a relatively high degree of malignancy, and its prognosis is closely related to its specific pathological staging. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately judge this time frame as it relates to individual differences in tumors and the degree of malignancy. Timely detection and standard treatment are crucial. The first choice is surgical treatment, which should be followed by immunotherapy and targeted therapy to prevent and reduce the possibility of postoperative recurrence and metastasis. If controlled effectively, early cure is possible, and the survival period in the middle and late stages can be significantly extended. Early treatment primarily involves surgical operations, which can be complemented by traditional Chinese medicine to reduce the risk of recurrence.

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kidney cancer immunotherapy drugs

The immunotherapy for kidney cancer often involves the use of interferons or interleukins, and the results are generally satisfactory. The effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for kidney cancer are not very certain. Typically, after kidney cancer is diagnosed, radical nephrectomy is performed. During the surgery, adequate exposure is essential. The renal hilum should be ligated first to prevent cancer cells from being squeezed into the bloodstream during surgery. It is also necessary to remove the fascia and fat around the kidney, along with the lymph nodes at the renal hilum. Combining these surgical measures with immunotherapy usually yields very ideal results.

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What tests are done to diagnose kidney cancer?

The typical clinical manifestations of renal cancer are hematuria, a mass, and flank pain, but these symptoms generally appear only in the middle and late stages. CT scans often play a decisive role in the diagnosis of renal cancer. Ultrasound examinations are mainly used to screen for the presence of tumors in the entire urinary system, while excretory urography can reveal compression inside the renal pelvis by the tumor, which may show irregular deformations, narrowing, or elongation. Generally speaking, CT scans are quite important for the diagnosis of renal cancer and also play a decisive role.

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Does kidney cancer cause fever?

Kidney cancer itself generally does not cause fever. Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor, and the most common clinical manifestation in patients is hematuria. As this malignant tumor grows larger, it may eventually rupture and bleed, leading patients to notice the formation of blood in the urine. Some patients may also be able to feel a mass in the abdomen. In severe cases of kidney cancer, it may lead to reduced urine output due to kidney failure. These symptoms are common manifestations of kidney cancer. Kidney cancer itself is unlikely to cause a fever, but due to the presence of kidney cancer, changes in the tissue structure of the kidney can occur, making infections more likely. When an infection occurs, it may also cause a fever, but this fever is not directly caused by the kidney cancer itself.

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Difference between Renal Cancer and Renal Pelvis Cancer

First, the sites of the disease are different; renal pelvis cancer usually occurs in the epithelium of the renal pelvis or calyces, while renal cancer typically originates from the epithelial cells of the renal tubules. Second, the presentations are different; hematuria is a common symptom of both renal pelvis cancer and renal cancer. However, in renal pelvis cancer, hematuria can occur early, while in renal cancer, hematuria may not be seen until the tumor has invaded the renal pelvis or calyces. Third, the diagnostic tests are different; the clinical diagnosis of renal cancer heavily relies on CT scans, whereas renal pelvis cancer primarily depends on excretory or retrograde urography, that is, CT urography. Fourth, the CT appearances are different; on CT scans, renal cancer typically shows as a multicystic lesion with more pronounced enhancement during contrast than that seen in renal pelvis cancer. Fifth, the results of cytological examinations are different; cytology of renal pelvis cancer may show positive tumor cells, but renal cancer might test negative.