Mon-Fri | : 9:00am - 1:00pm 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
Sat | : 9:00am - 12:00pm |
Sun/PH | : Closed |
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Kidney Cancer Treatment in Singapore
Kidney Cancer Treatment in Singapore
The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood, producing urine and helping to regulate blood pressure. When kidney cancer develops, it can threaten these vital functions and have serious consequences for a person’s overall health. Kidney cancer accounts for approximately 1–2% of all cancers in Singapore, and its potential consequences make timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment important, particularly for men aged 60 to 70, who face a higher risk.
Dr Michael YC Wong, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Urologist
FAMS (Urology), FICS (USA), FRCS (Edinburgh), M Med (Surgery), MBBS (Singapore)
What Is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a disease in which abnormal cells in the kidney multiply uncontrollably and form a malignant tumour. The cancer may remain confined to the kidney at an early stage but can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body as it progresses.
There are multiple forms of kidney cancer and their signs and symptoms may vary.
What Are The
Types of Kidney Cancers?
Kidney cancer can be classified into several types, including:
Renal cell carcinoma
This is the most common type of kidney cancer that accounts for approximately 85–90% of all diagnoses.
Urothelial carcinoma
Known as transitional cell carcinoma, this occurs in the renal pelvis, a funnel-shaped area where urine is collected before it is transmitted to the bladder.
Wilms tumour
Also called nephroblastoma, Wilms tumour is a type of kidney cancer that commonly develops in children. The condition usually affects children between the ages of 3 and 4 years old.
Renal sarcoma
This is a rare type of kidney cancer characterised by the development of cancerous cells in the blood vessels or connective tissues of the kidney.
What Are The
Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer usually does not exhibit any symptoms during its early stages. In the later stages, signs and symptoms of kidney cancer may include:
Blood in the urine
Fatigue
Lower back or side pain and discomfort
Abdominal mass or lump
Unexplained weight loss
Fever
Early detection can lead to better treatment options and outcomes.
If you are experiencing potential signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, schedule a consultation with our urologist today.
What Increases the Risk of Kidney Cancer?
The exact cause of most kidney cancers is unknown. However, several medically recognised factors may increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. These include:
Smoking
High blood pressure
Family history of kidney cancer
Long-term dialysis for chronic kidney disease
Certain genetic conditions
Obesity
Long-term use of certain medications
Can Kidney Cancer Be Prevented?
Kidney cancer cannot always be prevented because some risk factors, including age, family history and inherited conditions, cannot be changed. However, several measures may help reduce the likelihood of developing the disease:
Avoid smoking or seek support to stop
Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity
Monitor and manage high blood pressure
Follow workplace safety measures when handling potentially harmful chemicals
Attend appropriate medical reviews if you have chronic kidney disease, receive long-term dialysis or have an inherited risk of kidney cancer
These measures cannot guarantee prevention, but they can reduce certain modifiable risks and support overall kidney health.
How Is Kidney Cancer Detected?
In order to diagnose kidney cancer, a kidney cancer clinic performs a number of tests and procedures, including the following:
Urinalysis
Urinalysis checks a urine sample for blood, proteins and other abnormalities. The results may indicate a kidney or urinary-tract problem that requires further assessment, but they cannot confirm kidney cancer on their own.
Blood Tests
Blood tests may be used to assess kidney function, blood-cell counts and general health. Abnormal results can provide supporting information and help determine whether certain scans or treatments are suitable, but blood tests alone cannot diagnose kidney cancer.
Ultrasound or Computed Tomography (CT) scan
An imaging test can provide detailed images of the kidneys and determine the extent and characteristics of a kidney tumour.
MRI Scan
An MRI scan produces detailed images that can help assess a kidney tumour and determine whether it has affected nearby tissues or major blood vessels. It may be used when a CT scan is inconclusive or when CT contrast is unsuitable.
Kidney biopsy
A kidney biopsy may be recommended when imaging alone cannot establish the nature of a tumour or when the result could affect treatment planning. A thin needle is guided into the mass to collect tissue for laboratory examination.
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy may be performed when the doctor needs to investigate blood in the urine or exclude a tumour in the bladder or lower urinary tract. A thin instrument with a camera is passed through the urethra to examine the inside of the bladder. It is not routinely used to diagnose renal cell carcinoma.
What Are The Stages of Kidney Cancer?
Renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer, is classified into four main stages according to the tumour’s size and whether it has spread beyond the kidney. Staging helps the doctor assess the extent of the disease and determine which treatments may be appropriate.
Stage 1
The tumour measures 7 cm or less and remains confined to the kidney. It has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Stage 2
The tumour is larger than 7 cm but remains confined to the kidney. There is no spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.
Stage 3
The cancer has spread into major blood vessels or tissues surrounding the kidney, or to nearby lymph nodes. It has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Stage 4
The cancer has grown beyond the tissues surrounding the kidney or spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, liver or brain.
What Happens if Kidney Cancer Is Left Untreated?
Without treatment or appropriate medical monitoring, kidney cancer may continue growing and become more difficult to manage. Possible complications include:
Invasion of surrounding tissues or major blood vessels
Increasing symptoms such as bleeding, pain, anaemia and weight loss
Spread to lymph nodes or distant organs
The need for more complex treatment if surgery alone is no longer sufficient
Some small kidney tumours can be managed through active surveillance, but this involves scheduled scans and specialist review rather than leaving the condition medically unattended.
What Are Some
Kidney Cancer Treatment and Management Options in Singapore?
Kidney cancer treatment often starts with surgery to remove the cancer, particularly when it is localised. Depending on the type of cancer and tumour extent, treatments include:
Surgery
Surgery is a primary treatment for kidney cancer that remains confined to the kidney or nearby tissues. A partial nephrectomy removes the tumour while preserving healthy kidney tissue, while a radical nephrectomy removes the entire affected kidney. The appropriate procedure and whether open, laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgery can be used are determined by the tumour’s size, location and extent.
Radiofrequency ablation
This uses electric currents to destroy cancerous cells via the insertion of a needle through the skin and into the kidney tumour.
Active surveillance
In mild cases, this simply involves regular imaging to monitor the development of kidney tumours.
Chemotherapy
This uses anti-cancer medications administered through the mouth or a vein (IV).
Immunotherapy
Certain medications are given to boost the immune system in order to aid the body in identifying and fighting off cancerous cells.
Are There Any
Risks to Undergoing Kidney Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, kidney surgery carries a risk of complications. The specific risks vary according to the type and complexity of the operation as well as the patient’s overall health. Possible complications include:
Bleeding during or after surgery
Blood clots in the legs or lungs
Injury to nearby organs, tissues or blood vessels
Urine leakage following partial nephrectomy
Infection at the surgical site or elsewhere
Reactions to anaesthesia
Reduced kidney function
An experienced urologist and surgical care team will take steps to minimise these risks throughout the treatment journey. These may include careful preoperative assessment and surgical planning, measures to control bleeding, antibiotics when appropriate and compression devices or medication to prevent blood clots.
After the procedure, the care team will closely monitor kidney function, urine output and the surgical wound. This allows potential complications to be identified and managed promptly. Although no surgery is entirely risk-free, these precautions support a safer operation and recovery.
Why Choose Our Kidney Cancer Clinic in Singapore?
Choosing a kidney cancer clinic gives you access to focused assessment and treatment planning based on the characteristics and stage of your cancer. A doctor can review your imaging results, kidney function, general health and treatment goals before recommending an appropriate approach.
At the International Urology, Fertility & Gynaecology Centre, care is led by Dr Michael Wong, our medical director and senior consultant urologist. He provides assessment, diagnosis and personalised kidney cancer treatment, supported by specialised training and experience in urology and minimally invasive surgery. If you have concerning symptoms, an abnormal scan result or questions about your kidney health, contact us to arrange a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Cancer
Will I need dialysis after kidney cancer surgery?
Most patients do not require dialysis after a partial nephrectomy or the removal of one kidney if the remaining kidney functions adequately. The likelihood of needing dialysis is greater when kidney function was already significantly impaired or when both kidneys are affected. Kidney function is assessed before surgery to help guide treatment planning.
Can you live a normal life with one kidney?
Yes, most people can live a healthy and active life with one properly functioning kidney. Regular monitoring may be recommended to check kidney function, blood pressure and protein levels in the urine. Patients should also follow their doctor’s advice on maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated and avoiding medicines or habits that could damage the remaining kidney.
Can kidney cancer come back after treatment?
Yes, kidney cancer can recur after treatment, either near the original site or in another part of the body. The likelihood of recurrence is influenced by factors such as the cancer’s stage, grade and type. Follow-up appointments, blood tests and imaging allow the doctor to monitor for recurrence and address concerning findings promptly.
Can a kidney tumour be benign?
Yes, not every kidney tumour is cancerous. Benign kidney tumours include oncocytomas and angiomyolipomas, which do not usually spread to other parts of the body. However, imaging cannot always reliably distinguish a benign mass from kidney cancer, so further monitoring, biopsy or surgical removal may be recommended based on the tumour’s characteristics and associated risks.
Meet Our Kidney Stone Specialist in Singapore
Dr Michael YC Wong
Dr Michael Wong is the medical director and senior consultant urologist at the International Urology, Fertility and Gynaecology Centre. His clinical focus includes urological cancers and minimally invasive urological surgery. Before entering private practice, he held several leadership positions at Singapore General Hospital, including Director of the SGH Urology Centre and Director of the SGH Regional Endourology Fellowship Programme.
Dr Wong became the first Singaporean urologist to complete an American Fellowship in Endourology and Urolithiasis in 1993. When robot-assisted laparoscopy became available in Singapore, Dr Wong was the first to undertake a residency programme in robotic urological surgery at the University of California, Irvine in 2004.
His experience with kidney surgery also extends beyond cancer care. Dr Wong has served as a senior transplant surgeon with the Singapore Kidney Transplant Surgical Team since 1991 and has been accredited by the Ministry of Health to perform kidney transplants since 1996.
Let us help you
Restore your urological health.
Make an appointment with Dr Michael Wong to receive a tailored, supportive and targeted care plan.
Office
Location
3 Mount Elizabeth Road, #10-09,
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
Contact
Number
Email
Address
Opening
Hours