Comprehensive Cancer Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
A cancer diagnosis is one of life’s most difficult challenges – but at Pasadena CyberKnife, we’re committed to helping you see it through. As a leading cancer treatment & radiation oncology center serving the greater Los Angeles, CA area, we’re proud to provide high-quality treatment for virtually any cancerous condition. We strive to use noninvasive treatment methods like CyberKnife whenever possible, and we customize treatment to suit the unique needs of our patients. If you’ve been diagnosed with any type or stage of kidney cancer, we’re here to help.
Types of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is classified by type depending on the kind of cell it originates from. There are two main forms of kidney cancer in adults: renal cell Cancer and transitional cell cancer.
Renal Cell Cancer
By far the most common form of kidney cancer, renal cell cancer begins in the linings of the tubules, which help to filter blood and clear waste from the body. Renal cell cancer accounts for about 80% of kidney cancer cases, and it’s further divided into three main subtypes:
- Clear Cell Cancer: Accounts for 75% of renal cell cancers
- Papillary Cancer: Accounts for 10% of renal cell cancers
- Chromophobe: Accounts for 5% of renal cell cancers
In addition to these three main categories, there are many other, rarer forms of renal cell cancer, all identified by the type of cell in which they originate.
Transitional Cell Cancer
Transitional cell cancers (TCC) make up about 7-8% of kidney cancer diagnoses. These cancers start in the renal pelvis, which is the central cavity where urine and waste products collect before moving to the bladder. TCC is similar to bladder cancer in many ways, as it starts in a similar type of cell.
Stages of Kidney Cancer
Similar to many forms of cancer, the severity of kidney cancer is assessed using a four-stage system. The stage of kidney cancer is determined by evaluating three key variables:
- Tumor: The size of the original tumor
- Node: If the tumor has spread to lymph nodes
- Metastasis: If the tumor has metastasized (spread) to distant organs
Your cancer doctor will assess each of these variables, then evaluate them together to determine the overall stage of your cancer. The higher the stage, the more serious the condition. Staging for kidney cancer goes as follows:
- Stage I: The primary tumor is less than 7cm across and has spread to neither lymph nodes nor distant sites.
- Stage II: The tumor is greater than 7cm across, but still has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
- Stage III: Either of the following:
- The tumor may be any size, but it has spread to regional lymph nodes. It has not spread to distant parts of the body.
- The tumor may or may not have spread to regional lymph nodes, but it has grown through major veins or perinephric tissue. It has not spread to distant organs.
- Stage IV: Either of the following:
- The tumor has spread to the adrenal gland on the same side of the body. It may or may not have spread to lymph nodes, but it has not reached distant sites.
- The tumor has metastasized to distant sites. It may be any size and may or may not have affected lymph nodes.
Contact Your Los Angeles Cancer Treatment Center
No matter the type or the stage, facing kidney cancer is a trying and difficult battle – and if you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed, we’re standing by to help. As a leading cancer treatment expert in the LA area, we’ve helped countless patients beat cancer through comprehensive, convenient treatments, and we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you beat cancer and schedule your treatment consultation. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you reclaim the normal, healthy life you deserve.