Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the kidneys, and its stage and prognosis are important factors in evaluating a patient's regimen and survival expectancy. The stage of kidney cancer is mainly determined by the size of the tumor, whether the tumor has invaded tissues other than the kidney, whether there is lymph node metastasis, and whether there is distant metastasis. This process is usually performed according to the TNM system published by the American Cancer Society.
TNM system.
T (tumor): Describes the size of the tumour and whether it has invaded the tissues surrounding the kidney.
The classification of T1 to T4 is based on the size of the tumour and the degree of local spread, with higher numbers indicating larger tumours or more severe local spreads.
n (lymph nodes): describes whether the tumour has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
N0 indicates no lymph node metastases, and N1 indicates lymph node metastases.
M**Shift): Describes whether the tumour has spread to other parts of the body.
M0 indicates no distant metastases, and M1 indicates distant metastases.
By stages. Stage I: The tumour is confined to the inside of the kidney and is small (usually less than 7 cm in diameter) with no lymph node metastases or distant metastases.
Stage II: The tumor is still confined to the kidney, but it is large (more than 7 cm in diameter) and there is no lymph node metastasis or distant metastases.
Stage III: The tumour may have invaded large blood vessels or surrounding tissues near the kidneys, or it may have metastasized to one or more nearby lymph nodes but not distant metastases.
Stage IV: The tumor has metastasized far away and may affect the lungs, bones or other organs.
Prognosis. The prognosis of kidney cancer is influenced by a variety of factors, including the stage, the patient's general health, and the specific type and genetic markers of the tumor. In general:
Early-stage kidney cancer (stage I and II) usually has a good outcome and survival rate, which can be achieved by surgical removal of the tumor or removal of the affected kidney.
Stage III kidney cancer requires more complex surgery, such as angiotomy and thrombectomy for macrovascular cancer, and a combination of targeted drugs and immunity** after surgery.
The prognosis for stage IV kidney cancer is relatively poor,** with a focus on prolonging life and alleviating symptoms, with targeted and immune** as the main focus. Patients who are medically fit can undergo debulking nephrectomy, and some metastases can be surgically relieved by adequate evaluation.
Patients are advised to work closely with their medical team after being diagnosed with kidney cancer to discuss the best option for their condition.