Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
In stage 4renal cell carcinoma, cancer cells have spread from the kidneys into other areas of the body. Treatment is possible but more difficult than for earlier stages of renal cell carcinoma. This article will provide an overview of stage 4 renal cell carcinoma and the treatment options.
Verywell / Daniel Fishel
Types of Renal Cell Carcinoma
The different types of renal cell carcinoma include:
Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Renal cell carcinoma may not have any signs or symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses to stage 4, more signs will be present.
Symptoms of renal cell carcinoma include:
Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma may occur when cancer cells in the kidney are left untreated and continue to grow and spread throughout the body.
Risk factors for renal cell carcinomainclude:
Causes and Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer
The diagnosis process for renal cell carcinomawill include a physical exam, a detailed health history, an ultrasound, lab tests, and imaging studies.
Lab tests may include:
Imaging studies may include:
What Tests Are Done to Find Kidney Cancer?
Treatment for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma depends on a variety of factors, including how advanced the cancer is and to which areas of the body it has spread. In stage 4 cancer, cancer cells have usually spread to distant lymph nodes or other organs.
Surgery
Surgery is sometimes an option when treating stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. For example, if cancer has spread to one other organ from the kidneys, surgery may be performed to remove tumors from both organs.
Surgery may be recommended if you are generally in good health and the medical team believes removing the tumors will improve your prognosis (outcome) or quality of life. However, if cancer cells have spread to several different areas of the body, surgery is not recommended.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapyis a cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. Medications are given to boost the immune system’s response to better identify and kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy drugs approved to treat renal cell carcinoma include:
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies approved to treat renal cell carcinoma include:
Current recommended treatment for stage 4 clear cell kidney cancer includes combinations of targeted agents and immunotherapy, for example:
For non-clear cell carcinoma, either single targeted agents like Cabometyx or Sutent, combinations of targeted agents like Lenvima + Torisel, or single-agent immunotherapy like Opdivo or Keytruda are indicated.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is sometimes used in palliative care for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. Radiation may be able to shrink the size of malignant (cancerous) tumors, improving pain control and quality of life.
How Does Radiation Therapy Work?
Pain Management
Pain management is an important part of treating stage 4 cancer. Having your pain controlled may help you to be more active and continue your activities of daily living. If your pain is not controlled, talk with your medical team about other options.
Treating stage 4 renal cell carcinoma is difficult but not impossible. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments.
Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma is the most advanced form of this type of cancer. The five-year survival rate for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma that has spread to distant areas of the body is 13%.Distant areas from the kidneys include the brain, lungs, bones, and other organs or tissues.
Being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is undoubtedly stressful. Finding ways to cope with the diagnosis and the uncertainty it brings will be an important aspect of your treatment plan.
The following organizations may be able to help as well:
Summary
Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of kidney cancer in which cancer cells have spread beyond the kidneys into other organs and tissues in the body. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Pain management and support resources will also be an important part of the treatment plan.
A Word From Verywell
Being diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma is overwhelming, to say the least. It will likely take time for you to process this diagnosis and what it means for your health and well-being. It is important to remember that there are treatment options available. Work with your medical team to determine the treatment plan that provides the greatest quality of life for you and inquire about support resources.
The five-year survival rate for stage 4 renal cell carcinoma that has spread to distant areas of the body is 13%.
Yes, there are treatment options available for those with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. While treatment may be considered more difficult at this stage, there are treatments that may help to shrink the tumors and provide a better quality of life and pain management. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.What is kidney cancer?
National Cancer Institute.Renal cell cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for kidney cancer.
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for kidney cancer.
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