Is kidney cancer the same as uremia?

Written by Ji Kang
Nephrology
Updated on May 02, 2025
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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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early symptoms of kidney cancer

Early symptoms may include hematuria, which is often painless, intermittent, and visible throughout. Hematuria caused by renal cancer is often due to blood clots blocking the fallopian tubes, and the clots can form stripes through the ureter. Secondly, back pain may occur, which is another common symptom of kidney cancer. It is mostly dull pain felt in the back and may be caused by the growth of the tumor. Thirdly, a mass may appear, which can be felt in the abdomen during a medical examination. Generally, feeling a mass in the abdomen is possibly a symptom of the advanced stage.

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What is good to eat after kidney cancer surgery?

If kidney cancer is detected early, it can be cured through surgery. Unlike some malignant tumors, kidney cancer has good treatment outcomes. If the cancer is less than four centimeters in diameter, the five-year survival rate after surgery can exceed 90%. If it is less than seven centimeters, the five-year survival rate after surgery can also reach 80%. Even if the cancer has metastasized to distant sites, removing the kidney can still help the patient's survival. Therefore, the earlier the tumor is detected, the better the treatment outcomes. Kidney cancer surgery is generally done through laparoscopy or open surgery. Postoperative diet should be high in protein, fiber, and nutrients, as the healing of the kidney cancer incision also requires a solid nutritional foundation. It is necessary to eat less spicy and stimulating food, and to maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet. The most important thing for kidney cancer is to have regular follow-ups to understand the recovery situation and check for any recurrence or metastasis of the tumor.

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What are the characteristic symptoms of kidney cancer?

Most kidney cancer patients are discovered during health check-ups, and these patients may account for over 50%-60% of all kidney cancer cases. Among those with symptoms, the most common symptoms are lower back pain and blood in urine. A few patients also present with abdominal masses. 10%-40% of patients can exhibit paraneoplastic syndromes, manifested as high blood pressure, anemia, weight loss, cachexia, fever, abnormal liver function, hyperglycemia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and other changes. Additionally, symptoms such as bone pain, fractures, cough, and coughing blood can occur due to tumor metastasis.

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Post-nephrectomy care for renal cancer

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.

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Can kidney cancer be cured?

Kidney cancer, if detected early and treated effectively, can potentially have favorable outcomes. However, early-stage kidney cancer often lacks distinct symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis. Symptoms such as hematuria, pain, and palpable masses typically indicate an advanced stage. Therefore, any of these symptoms should be taken seriously. Urine cytology, blood biochemical tests, and ultrasound are quite sensitive for the detection of renal tumors. X-ray images may show a prominent localized contour of the kidney with speckled or incomplete shell-like calcifications. Excretory or retrograde pyelography can reveal compression of the renal pelvis and calyces, showing irregular deformations and possibly filling defects. If necessary, isotope scanning, percutaneous renal biopsy, or fine needle aspiration cytology may be conducted.