Is kidney cancer metastasis to lymph nodes considered advanced stage?
Disease description:
The family was thrown into chaos after kidney cancer was found to have spread to the lymph nodes. I just want to ask the doctor, does kidney cancer spreading to the lymph nodes mean it's already at an advanced stage?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Guang
In general, kidney cancer that has metastasized to lymph nodes may not necessarily be classified as advanced stage.
Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the kidneys. Lymph nodes are part of the body's lymphatic system, primarily responsible for filtering bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells from lymph fluid. Kidney cancer is classified into stages 0 to IV. When kidney cancer cells spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, it indicates a more severe condition, reaching stage III kidney cancer, but not yet the most advanced stage.
Once kidney cancer has metastasized to lymph nodes, treatment becomes significantly more challenging, and the prognosis is usually poor. Patients who discover lymph node metastasis should seek timely medical evaluation and thorough assessment to determine the exact stage and treatment plan. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other methods aimed at controlling disease progression, prolonging survival, and improving the patient's quality of life.
Meanwhile, during treatment, patients should maintain an optimistic mindset and healthy lifestyle, actively cooperating with their physicians' treatment plans, in order to achieve effective therapeutic outcomes.
