Kidney cancer is a common form of cancer that originates in one or both kidneys. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Symptoms of advanced kidney cancer include blood in the urine, fever, unexplained weight loss, excessive tiredness and back pain, describes MayoClinic.com. Renal cell carcinoma is classified into stages. Stage IV is considered to be advanced cancer. In stage IV, the cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes, metastasized to distant areas in the body, or grown into the tissues around the kidney. Several treatments are available for advanced kidney cancer. Often, two or more treatments are utilized at the same time, or one following the other.
Kidney Removal
The cancerous kidney may be removed, a procedure called a nephrectomy. When the cancer has metastasized to other areas, this surgery does not usually cause shrinkage of the distant tumors. It may offer benefit in terms of pain control, however.
Tumor Embolization
Tumor embolization may ease symptoms in stage IV, explains the National Cancer Institute. This procedure involves cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. Special material is injected into the tumor's main blood supply, effectively cutting off its nutrient and oxygen supply.
Cytokine Therapy
Cytokine therapy involves the administration of specialized protein molecules that regulate the immune system. Interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha are commonly utilized in advanced kidney cancer. Specially-treated lymphocytes may be given along with interleukin-2 to increase its effectiveness. Cytokine therapy is usually given into the vein, or injected into the fat layer under the skin.
External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation therapy can reduce the symptoms of advanced renal cell carcinoma. This therapy can provide pain relief when the cancer has spread to the bones or other areas.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies interfere with the tumor's ability to grow and spread. Drugs used in targeted therapy include temsirolimus, sunitinib and sorafenib. Temsirolimus is given as an injection into the vein, while the other drugs are taken orally.
Clinical Trials
Some patients with stage IV renal cell carcinoma choose to participate in clinical trials. These trials involve medications or procedures that are being tested to determine if they effectively treat the disease or improve symptoms. The National Institutes of Health maintains a website with current information regarding open clinical studies for patients with renal cell carcinoma.
