“It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again.”
— Erika Evans, Cancer Survivor
👩👩👧 A Subtle Beginning
Just a few months ago, my aunt — an active, independent woman in her late 50s — noticed something unusual.
Her urine had a darker color than usual, and she wasn’t eating well.
There was no pain, no fever, no major complaints — just a quiet change in her body’s signals.
Being someone who never ignored her health, she decided to visit me for a checkup.
🔬 The Diagnosis
I conducted a thorough clinical examination and ordered a few baseline tests.
Her kidney function was normal, but an abdominal ultrasound showed a suspicious swelling in the upper part of her left kidney.
A contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed our suspicion: it looked like kidney cancer.
Fortunately, her PET-CT scan revealed that the tumor hadn’t spread beyond the kidney.
There were no signs of metastasis to her lungs, bones, or lymph nodes.
We sat down with the family and had a candid conversation. She was calm.
Her only question:
“Can it be cured?”
🧠 Understanding Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, occurs when normal kidney cells start multiplying uncontrollably without the natural checkpoints that regulate cell growth.
While not as common as lung or oral cancers, kidney cancer is rising in incidence due to lifestyle risk factors like:
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Smoking
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Hypertension
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Obesity
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Long-term exposure to industrial chemicals or solvents
🚨 Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer often doesn’t show early symptoms, but when it does, you might notice:
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Blood in the urine (hematuria) – painless and intermittent
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Pain or fullness in the lower back or side
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Unexplained weight loss
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Fatigue or low appetite
👉 In my aunt’s case, the symptoms were subtle — a reminder of how easily it can be missed if we’re not attentive.
🧪 Tests to Confirm Diagnosis
Her diagnostic journey included:
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Ultrasound (USG Abdomen)
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CT Scan (Contrast-enhanced)
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PET-CT Scan
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Kidney function tests & blood counts
➡️ The key aim of these tests is to localize the tumor, understand if it’s limited to the kidney, and detect any spread (metastasis).
⚔️ Our Treatment Plan
✅ Surgery – The Cornerstone
Because her tumor was confined to the kidney, the best approach was surgical removal.
She underwent a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy — only the cancerous part of her kidney was removed, preserving the remaining function.
Post-surgery, her other kidney compensated fully, and her renal function remained stable.
💊 No Chemotherapy Needed
As the cancer hadn’t spread, she did not require chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
However, had it been advanced, targeted therapy or immunotherapy would have been considered.
💡 Life After Kidney Cancer
Today, six months post-surgery, my aunt is back to gardening, cooking, and going on long walks.
Her appetite is better, her smile brighter.
She now undergoes regular scans every 6 months to ensure there is no recurrence — and continues to inspire others by sharing her story.
🧭 Key Takeaways
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Kidney cancer is curable if caught early
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A simple urine change or weight loss can be the first warning sign
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Early detection through imaging is crucial
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Surgery is the best option when the tumor is localized
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Modern treatment is increasingly personalized and effective, even in advanced cases
“Modern medicine can defy the notion – Cancer is incurable.”
— This is a story of resilience, science, and timely intervention.