Is a tumor on the kidney serious, and how is it treated?

Generally speaking, if a tumor on the kidney is benign, it is usually not serious. However, if the tumor is malignant, it is typically considered serious. Treatment options include observation and follow-up, medication, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Is it serious?

If the tumor on the kidney is benign, such as adrenal cortical adenoma or pheochromocytoma, it typically does not pose a direct threat to life. However, these tumors still require attention because they may grow larger and compress surrounding tissues, causing symptoms such as pain, hematuria (blood in urine), and hypertension (high blood pressure). If the tumor is malignant, such as renal cell carcinoma, the situation is more serious. Malignant tumors are invasive and can metastasize, potentially spreading rapidly to surrounding tissues or distant organs, which is detrimental to overall health.

II. How is it treated?

1. Observation and follow-up: If the adrenal tumor is small and benign with no symptoms, doctors may recommend observation and follow-up. Regular imaging examinations and hormone level tests are conducted to monitor any changes in the tumor. If the tumor shows no significant change or grows slowly, continued observation is possible.

2. Medication: When a tumor secretes excessive hormones causing endocrine disorders, hormone replacement therapy may be required, such as supplementing glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. For certain malignant adrenal tumors, targeted drug therapy may be used. These drugs target specific molecular sites on tumor cells to inhibit tumor growth and spread.

3. Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery is currently the mainstream surgical method for treating adrenal tumors, offering advantages such as minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and fewer complications. Using laparoscopic instruments, doctors can remove the tumor through small incisions. For larger tumors, malignant tumors, or cases where laparoscopic surgery is difficult, open surgery may be necessary. Although this approach involves larger incisions, it allows more direct visualization of the tumor and surrounding tissues, ensuring complete tumor removal.

4. Radiation therapy: For malignant adrenal tumors, external beam radiation therapy can be used as an adjunct to surgery or for patients who are not candidates for surgery. Radiation therapy can kill tumor cells, relieve symptoms, and prolong the patient's survival. For certain types of malignant adrenal tumors, such as pheochromocytoma, radioactive isotope therapy may be used. Radioactive isotopes can selectively accumulate in tumor cells and emit radiation to kill the tumor cells.

5. Chemotherapy: For malignant adrenal tumors that have metastasized or recurred, chemotherapy can be a treatment option. Chemotherapeutic agents reach the tumor site through the bloodstream, inhibiting the growth and division of tumor cells. However, chemotherapy may cause various adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, and hair loss, and should be administered under the guidance of a physician.

Patients with adrenal tumors should focus on daily care and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular sleep patterns and moderate exercise. Dietary considerations include maintaining nutritional balance and avoiding foods that may affect hormone levels.