Let's learn about a non-surgical treatment for kidney cancer? (Kidney Ablation)

It's normal to feel scared and shocked when your doctor tells you or someone in your family has kidney cancer. But with the advancement of modern medicine, there are treatments that are more effective than surgery and have less impact on the body. One such treatment is called 'ablation', which is a special treatment used to destroy kidney cancer cells. Let's talk about this in simple terms today.

Simply put, what is ablation?

Ablation is an alternative to surgery for treating kidney cancer. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a very thin needle-like device (probe) through your skin into the area where the cancer is located. Then, the device delivers intense heat or cold to the cancer cells. Think of it like a precise shot, this treatment kills only the cancer cells. The biggest advantage of this is that it leaves the healthy kidney tissue around the cancer almost untouched . This means that the healthy part of the kidney is spared.

Who is this treatment best suited for?

This treatment is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor will examine your condition and decide if it is suitable for you. This treatment is usually recommended in the following cases:

• For those who cannot or do not want to undergo surgery: For some people, due to age or other medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes , major surgery (nephrectomy) may be risky. And some people do not want to undergo surgery. This is a good option for such people.
• If the cancer is small: This method is usually most effective for cancer tumors smaller than 3-4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) .
• For those with multiple small tumors in one kidney or small tumors in both kidneys : Rather than having to remove the entire kidney through surgery, this method can destroy only the tumors and preserve the kidney.

What are the main types of ablation treatment?

This treatment is mainly done in two ways: according to the energy used to destroy cancer cells.

How should I prepare before treatment?

Your doctor will give you clear instructions about this. Usually,

• You are advised to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the treatment.
• You may be asked to temporarily stop taking certain medications (especially blood thinners ), vitamins , or Ayurvedic medicines.

What happens during the treatment?

There are two main ways to do this treatment. 1. Laparoscopically: This is done by a urologist. You will be given general anesthesia. Then, several very small incisions are made in the abdomen, a camera (laparoscope) is inserted through one of the incisions, and the ablation device is inserted through the other incisions. Although this is also a surgical procedure, it heals quickly because the incisions are very small. 2. Percutaneously:This is done by an interventional radiologist. This involves numbing the area to be treated (local anesthesia) and inserting a needle through the skin into the tumor while looking at a scan (CT or ultrasound). You may also be given medication to help you sleep. Common steps during treatment include:

• Numbing or anesthetizing the skin.
• A temporary tube (ureteral stent) may be placed to facilitate urine flow.
• A small piece of the cancerous tumor is taken for testing (biopsy). This can help determine the exact type of cancer.
• While looking at the scan screen, the ablation device is inserted into the tumor, activated, and the cancer cells are destroyed.

This entire process can usually take about one to three hours .

What to expect after treatment?

After treatment,

• You may be able to go home the same day, or you may need to stay in the hospital for one day .
• You may feel some fatigue, pain, and a tingling sensation in the area where the treatment was performed .
• You may see some bleeding or bruising. This is normal.

What are the benefits of this treatment?

This treatment has several advantages compared to major surgery.

• Quick recovery: You can recover quickly due to less pain and bleeding.
• Minimal scarring: Since it is done through very small incisions, it does not leave any major scars.
• Minimal damage to healthy kidneys: This is the biggest advantage.
• Hospitalization is rarely necessary: ​​you can often go home within a day.
• Low risk: There is a lower risk of complications than with major surgery.

Is there no risk then?

As with any medical procedure, there are some minor risks, but they are much less likely to occur than with major surgery.

• Bleeding or blood clots
• Infections
• Bruising or scarring at the treatment site
• There is a small chance of damage to nearby blood vessels, nerves, or other organs.
• Ureteral obstructions

Your doctor will explain these risks to you thoroughly.

When should I call the doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms after your treatment, you should call your doctor immediately . Or go to the nearest hospital.Go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

• Unbearable pain or excessive bleeding.
• Persistent vomiting .
• Difficulty urinating or blood in the urine.
• Signs of infection, such as fever .

You can usually resume normal activities like walking and driving within a day or two. However, you should consult your doctor before starting anything like heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.

Can this treatment be done more than once? Yes. If the cancer is not completely gone, if it comes back, or if new tumors develop, this treatment can be done again.

Take-Home Message

• Ablation for kidney cancer is an effective treatment option that has less impact on the body, as an alternative to surgery.
• This is especially suitable for those with small tumors (less than 3-4 cm) and those who cannot afford major surgery.
• This involves using extreme cold (cryoablation) or extreme heat (RFA) to target and destroy only cancer cells.
• There is less pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and minimal damage to healthy kidney tissue.
• As with any treatment, there are minor risks, but they are less than major surgery. The best way to decide if this treatment is right for you is to talk to your doctor.