The death of Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo from advanced metastatic kidney cancer has drawn renewed attention to a serious form of cancer that can spread from the kidneys to other parts of the body.
His death has prompted questions about what metastatic kidney cancer means, how it spreads, the symptoms associated with the disease and whether it can be treated.
Kidney cancer develops when abnormal cells in the kidney begin growing uncontrollably and form a tumour. The disease accounts for about five percent of cancers in men and three percent in women and is among the more commonly diagnosed cancers globally...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
What Is Metastatic Kidney Cancer?
Metastatic kidney cancer occurs when cancer that originated in the kidney spreads beyond the organ to other parts of the body.
It is also known as stage four kidney cancer and represents the most advanced stage of the disease.
The cancer may spread to areas including:
• The lungs
• The bones
• The liver
• The brain
• The adrenal glands
• Nearby lymph nodes
The spread occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumour and travel through surrounding tissues, the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
About one in three people diagnosed with kidney cancer may already have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. At this stage, the condition can still be treated and managed, but the chances of long term survival are generally lower.
Where Does Kidney Cancer Usually Spread?
Kidney cancer can spread to several organs, but the lungs are the most common destination.
The lungs account for a large proportion of kidney cancer metastases, followed by the bones and lymph nodes. The liver is also commonly affected, while spread to the brain is less frequent.
The location of the spread often influences the symptoms a patient experiences.
What Are the Symptoms?
One of the challenges with kidney cancer is that it may not produce obvious symptoms during its early stages.
About half of people with kidney cancer may initially have no symptoms, with some cases discovered accidentally during medical examinations for unrelated health problems.
Possible symptoms of metastatic kidney cancer include:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Blood in the urine
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the legs and feet
• High blood pressure
• Abnormally high calcium levels
• An abnormal increase in red blood cells
Symptoms can also vary depending on where the cancer has spread.
When the cancer reaches the bones, a person may experience persistent bone pain or fractures. Spread to the brain may cause headaches, seizures or dizziness, while liver involvement can result in jaundice or abdominal swelling.
When the cancer reaches the lungs, symptoms may include coughing and difficulty breathing.
How Is Metastatic Kidney Cancer Treated?
Metastatic kidney cancer is generally considered difficult to cure, but treatment can help control the disease, relieve symptoms and potentially extend a patient’s life.
The treatment selected depends on several factors, including the person’s age, general health, the location of the cancer and how extensively it has spread.
Possible treatment approaches include:
• Immunotherapy: Medicines that help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells
• Targeted therapy: Drugs that focus on specific features of cancer cells to slow or stop their growth
• Surgery: Removal of the affected kidney in selected cases
• Radiation therapy: Used to control cancer in areas such as the brain or bones
• Chemotherapy: Sometimes used, though kidney cancer may not respond as strongly as other cancers
• Monitoring: Regular scans to track disease progression
• Palliative care: Focused on pain relief and improving quality of life
Can Kidney Cancer Be Prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent kidney cancer or ensure that an existing cancer will not spread.
However, certain lifestyle and health measures may help reduce risk and support overall wellbeing, including:
• Avoiding or quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Managing blood pressure
• Adopting a healthy lifestyle
• Going for regular medical checkups
For people already diagnosed with kidney cancer, early detection and prompt treatment are especially important, as they improve the chances of better disease control.
Why Early Detection Matters
Metastatic kidney cancer highlights the importance of paying attention to persistent or unexplained changes in the body.
Because kidney cancer can remain silent in its early stages, many people may not realise there is a problem until the disease has progressed.
Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, blood in the urine, persistent pain or prolonged fever should not be ignored and should be evaluated by a medical professional.
While metastatic kidney cancer is a serious and life threatening condition, advances in treatment have made it possible for some patients to manage the disease and improve quality of life.
Early detection, timely medical care and proper treatment remain the most important factors in improving outcomes.
