The National Cancer Institute estimates over 58,000 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed by the end of 2010. The incidence of kidney cancer is increasing, but the reason for the increase unknown. Renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma and Wilms' tumor are types of kidney cancer and are named for the location of the cancer within the kidney. There are many options available to treat kidney cancer that range range from surgery to various medications.
Mechanism of Action
The number of kidney cancer diagnoses each year is increasing, while the route to diagnosis remains difficult. According to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease because there are no symptoms in the early stages. Kidney cancer is often found during procedures ordered for other conditions. Late-stage kidney cancer symptoms include back pain, weight loss, fever and blood in the urine. Once diagnosis is made, treatment options must be considered, and include surgery, biologic therapy, chemotherapy and possibly a combination of several different treatments. When kidney cancer is metastatic or has spread to other parts of the body, treatments such as chemotherapy or biologic therapy are often used. Interferon is a biologic therapy, which means it works with the body's immune system to fight cancer. Interferon is normally produced in the body in small amounts and works to fight foreign substances including cancer cells. Interferon treatment involves administering large amounts of interferon, which slows the growth rate of cancer cells. Interferon also identifies cancer cells as abnormal so the body's immune system has a better chance of recognizing and destroying them.
Administration
According to CancerGuide, when interferon is given to treat kidney cancer, it is usually given by injection at an outpatient clinic or at home. The medication is injected into the subcutaneous, or fatty tissue under the skin. The interferon schedule is usually one daily injection three to five days per week, therefore, patients often learn to self-administer the injections at home. It may take three to four months for interferon to begin shrinking the tumors in the kidney. Patients may remain on interferon injections indefinitely or until the disease progresses. Once disease progression occurs, treatment changes must be considered.
Side Effects
There are many side effects associated with interferon therapy. According to the Kidney Cancer Association, the main side effect of interferon is flu-like syndrome, which is a group of several symptoms that are similar to a case of the viral flu. Flu-like syndrome includes headache, muscle and body aches, fever, chills, loss of appetite and fatigue. Other symptoms that may be associated with interferon include depression, decreased libido and decreased white blood cell count. While these side effects may sound overwhelming, it is important to note that as interferon therapy continues the severity of side effects often decreases. Once the diagnosis of kidney cancer is confirmed and interferon treatment is initiated, a broad knowledge base about the treatment and frequent communication with a health-care team can make taking interferon treatments a more positive experience.
