Is late-stage kidney cancer contagious?

Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
Updated on November 10, 2024
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Advanced kidney cancer is not contagious from person to person. Kidney cancer is when the tissues of the kidney undergo abnormal proliferation and the condition has advanced to a late stage. Generally, it is recommended that patients with kidney cancer follow a high-protein, low-salt, low-sugar diet, avoid foods that increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys, and focus on fine, refined, and soft foods to improve the efficiency of nutrient absorption. Patients can eat more fruits and vegetables to increase their intake of vitamins and fibers. It is also generally advised for patients to eat more garlic, avoid eating leftovers, overnight foods, pickled items, abstain from alcohol, especially strong spirits, and avoid smoking.

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Written by Ji Kang
Nephrology
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Is kidney cancer the same as uremia?

Kidney cancer cannot be equated with uremia. Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor of the kidney. Its treatment can be through surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and so on. Uremia, on the other hand, is the end-stage development of various kidney diseases. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by the loss of most or all kidney function, leading to sodium and water retention, various electrolyte disorders, and the accumulation of toxins such as urea nitrogen and creatinine. The treatment of uremia relies on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. Although kidney cancer is not uremia, severe kidney cancer can also develop into uremia. At that time, blood replacement therapy is also needed.

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Written by Xu Chun Hua
Urology
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How is kidney cancer diagnosed?

Hematuria, pain, and lumps are the main symptoms of kidney cancer. If one or two of these symptoms appear, the possibility of kidney cancer should be considered. About half of the patients are found to have incidental kidney cancers, also known as asymptomatic kidney cancers, during physical examinations through incidental findings on ultrasound or CT scans. Some may show early symptoms of metastasis making the diagnosis quite challenging. The preoperative diagnosis of kidney cancer relies on the results of medical imaging examinations such as ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans. CT scans have a very high confirmation rate for kidney cancer and are currently the most reliable imaging method for diagnosing kidney cancer.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can renal cancer be detected by ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a type of imaging examination that can observe the size, shape, structure, texture, and the presence of masses in the organs being examined. It can be used to determine if a patient potentially has kidney-related masses, such as differentiating between a kidney cyst and kidney cancer based on differences in shape and blood supply that malignant tumors typically exhibit compared to other conditions. However, using ultrasound to diagnose kidney cancer can be inaccurate, particularly in the early stages of the disease when ultrasound may not provide a clear view, and some complex cases of kidney cancer may still be indeterminate. Therefore, patients might consider undergoing an enhanced CT scan, which offers a higher diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, a kidney biopsy and pathological examination might be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Is Stage 2 kidney cancer considered early stage?

Kidney cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the kidney. The causes of kidney cancer are not particularly clear at present, but are related to genetics, smoking, obesity, hypertension, and the treatment of hypertension. Most early-stage kidney cancer patients are found to have asymptomatic kidney cancer during health check-ups, and these patients account for more than 50% to 60% of all kidney cancer cases. Patients with kidney cancer generally experience back pain and hematuria, and some patients may present with an abdominal mass. Stage II kidney cancer is considered early-stage kidney cancer. For the treatment of kidney cancer, a clear diagnosis first requires a CT scan and enhanced CT of the kidney. The preferred treatment method for stage II kidney cancer is radical nephrectomy, which can be performed using laparoscopic surgery or traditional open surgery, with laparoscopic surgery primarily favored at present. After kidney cancer surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to prevent distant metastasis. Therefore, post-operative check-ups should occur every 3 to 6 months for the first three years, followed by an annual follow-up thereafter. Hence, stage II kidney cancer, being early-stage, can be cured.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Kidney cancer most commonly metastasizes to which locations?

Kidney cancer clinically tends to metastasize through direct spread, the lymphatic pathway, and the hematogenous pathway. The lymphatic route often involves enlargement of the perirenal lymph nodes or the lymph nodes in the groin or retroperitoneum. Kidney cancer is also prone to metastasize to the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts via the bloodstream. Similarly, kidney cancer can spread to the perirenal area, ureters, bladder, and other parts through direct extension. Once kidney cancer metastasizes to other organs, it is considered to be in the advanced stages clinically, and treatment primarily involves targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and other comprehensive treatment measures, with surgical treatment not being used as the primary anti-tumor treatment. Once kidney cancer has metastasized, the clinical staging is late, and the prognosis for the patients is poor.