
No matter who you are or what you’re up against, a cancer diagnosis can be one of life’s most difficult challenges – but it’s never one you have to face alone. Orange County CyberKnife is a premier radiation oncology center serving the Orange County, CA area, and we’re proud to stand with our patients in the fight against cancer. Offering a variety of world-class cancer treatments like the revolutionary CyberKnife system, we are committed to helping our patients overcome virtually any form of cancerous condition – including kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma, is staged using the TNM system, as most cancers are. This system uses three variables to determine the size of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread: T, standing for Tumor, describes the size of the primary tumor itself; N, standing for Node, delineates whether or not the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes; and M, standing for Metastasis, tells if the cancer has spread to distant regions of the body. If there’s more than one tumor present, the lowercase letter “m” is added to the T variable, standing for “multiple.”
Using the TNM system, the “T” plus a letter or number (0 to 4) is used to describe the size and location of the tumor. Some stages are also divided into smaller groups that help describe the tumor in even more detail. This helps the doctor develop the best treatment plan for each patient. If there is more than one tumor, the lowercase letter “m” (multiple) is added to the “T” stage category. Specific tumor stage information for kidney cancer is listed below.
Each variable comes with its own levels of grade and stage, which run as follows:
The “N” staging variable describes whether or not the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, which are tiny, bean-shaped organs that function in the immune system. The tumor may spread to regional lymph nodes, which are near the kidney, or distant lymph nodes, which are in other parts of the body. N classifications are fairly simple:
Finally, the “M” variable describes metastasis, in which the tumor spreads to distant organs and lymph nodes in the body. Kidney cancer has a high risk of spreading to the bones, lungs, brain, liver, and distant lymph nodes.
Your cancer doctor will assess the T, N, and M classifications of your cancer to determine its overall stage. Kidney cancer stages are as follows:
Kidney cancer can prove to be a serious condition, but with early detection and prompt treatment, the outlook is often positive – and even in serious cases, OC CyberKnife can help. We use some of the most advanced, state-of-the-art cancer fighting technology in the world, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help our patients succeed and thrive. Call us today at 714.962.7100 to learn more about how we can help you beat cancer no matter what you’re up against, and feel free to schedule your consultation or second opinion by reaching out to us at our contact page. We can’t wait to hear from you.