What are the treatments for clear cell renal cell carcinoma?

Although clear cell carcinoma is the least malignant among renal cancers, in clinical practice it is often mixed with granular cell carcinoma and spindle cell carcinoma, and grading under a microscope is actually very difficult.

1. Radical nephrectomy is generally used. Kidney cancer has a high rate of metastasis through blood transport, and about 60% of patients have the possibility of metastasis. The frequency of metastatic organs is: lung (52%), bone (40%), liver (23%), distant lymph nodes (23%), renal vein (22%), adrenal gland (20%), contralateral kidney ( 18%), pleura (10%), central nervous system (8%), pancreas (7%), etc. Therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to the conditions of the above-mentioned tissues and organs (such as hemiplegia, sciatica, back pain, swollen cervical lymph nodes, frequent coughing, pain in the liver area, abnormal liver function, etc., generally indicate metastasis). If no new metastatic lesions are found within two years, it is basically safe.

2. Immunotherapy: The combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy can prolong the patient’s life. Interferon, IL-2, BCG and other drugs are commonly used. Interferon treatment has positive significance and should be accepted as long as financial conditions permit. Other nutrition and care are the same as those for general post-tumor surgery patients, with no special requirements. Considering that the patient only has one kidney, attention should be paid to avoiding all factors that increase the burden on the kidneys, such as colds and fever, alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise, fatigue, and nephrotoxic drugs (cold medicines, analgesics, diuretics, etc.).

3. Post-operative treatment

a. Interleukin 2 (1-2 million units)/5 days, stop for two days after every five days.

b. Interferon/once every three days. During the first two years after surgery, the above treatments were given twice a year. Once a year after two years.