Disease Index

Homeopathy for Kidney Cancer

kidney
Written by Dr. Manish Bhatia

Kidney cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the kidney and may spread to other organs. There are three types of kidney cancers: renal cell carcinoma; Wilm’s tumor, a fast growing tumor that affects children under the age of five; and transitional cell carcinomas, which occurs in the urine collecting region of the kidney.

What is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the kidney and may spread to other organs. There are three types of kidney cancers: renal cell carcinoma; Wilm’s tumor, a fast growing tumor that affects children under the age of five; and transitional cell carcinoma, which occurs in the urine collecting region of the kidney.

The kidneys are the main filters of the body. They filter out waste products and carcinogens (cancer causing substances), transferring them from the bloodstream into the urine. These undesirable substances can then be eliminated from the body.

kidney cancer symptoms and treatmentCancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells that eventually become large enough to make a tumor. Normal cells divide only when needed to replace other cells that are dying, and this process is very tightly regulated. Cancer cells have mutations that allow them to divide out of control, they body is often unable to stop this process. The tumor cells also become resistant to the natural cycle of growth and cell death (also known as apoptosis), and they just keep growing.

Cancer cells also secrete certain proteins (proteases) that can digest the surrounding tissue, allowing the cells to invade adjacent areas. The tumor cells can then spread to other parts of the body; this is known as metastasis.

The tumor cells can also stimulate new blood vessels to grow toward them to provide nutrients and oxygen for continued growth. This is known as angiogenesis— without angiogenesis the tumor cells would starve or remain dormant (inactive).

A cancer must be able to do most or all of these things to metastasize, to cause pain, or to kill a patient. Unfortunately, some kidney cancers have this potential. Tumors that cannot invade locally or metastasize are benign, these can grow, but rarely cause trouble and can often be left untreated.

Kidney cancer has always been relatively unresponsive to chemotherapy, which is somewhat unique in the cancer world. The main hope for most kidney cancer patients is that cancer can be removed surgically— kidney cancer is still primarily a surgical disease. However, thanks to the work of dedicated researchers and clinicians, better treatments are now available for all stages of kidney cancer, even for patients with more advance disease that cannot be removed surgically.

New treatments that block the blood vessels supplying tumors with nutrients and oxygen can starve the tumor and slow or reverse its growth. These treatments, known as anti-angiogenic treatments, are now creating a new potential for the treatment of patients with kidney cancer and have moved kidney cancer to the forefront of modern oncology.

Causes of kidney cancer

renal cell carcinoma symptoms and treatmentKidney cancer, like all cancers, can be inherited or environmental. Inherited means that certain muted genes that cause kidney cancer are passed down from generation to generation. Inherited cancers are also known as familial cancers, because they run in families.

Very small percentage of of renal cell carcinomas are familial, with rest believed to be sporadic. Sporadic refers to cancers that develop in an unpredictable manner in patients with no family history of kidney cancer.

Familial kidney cancer tends to develop early in life and these patients tend to develop multiple tumors in the kidneys. They can also develop tumors in other areas of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, and pancreas. Familial kidney cancer patients usually have relatives with a history of kidney cancer, and this is often one of the major clues to this diagnosis.

If the cancer is environmental it means that there has been exposure to carcinogens (agents which causes cancer) from, for example, smoking, the workplace, or from one’s diet. Carcinogens do their damage by mutating genes. If the gene that is mutated is in the kidney and is important for controlling cell growth, the kidney cell can then divide in an uncontrolled manner. This often occurs in a haphazard manner, and additional mutations can then be generated.

Eventually the tumor cells may become malignant and begin to divide uncontrollably.

Of all the potential carcinogens, the one that is best proven is tobacco use, which increases the risk of developing kidney cancer. It is known that smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop kidney cancer. Some researchers estimate that cigarette smoking is linked to 30% of kidney cancers in men and 24% in women. One researcher estimated that more than 80% of renal pelvis cancer in men and more than 60% in women would be prevented if people stopped smoking.

Another possible cause of kidney cancer is exposure to chemicals, both produced by the body and inhaled to digest. Because the kidneys filter waste, they are exposed to many chemical substances. Heavy, long-term use of the analgesic phenacetin is associated with renal pelvis cancer. The risk is 19 times greater for smokers who use phenacetin. The Food and Drug Administration banned phenacetin- containing products in 1983.

Occupational exposure is another possible cause. Some studies suggest that coke oven workers and insulation workers have a above-average rate of the disease. Reports show that workers in the rubber, leather, petroleum, dye, textile, and plastic industries have an increased risk of kidney cancers.

There is also evidence that obesity may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. Several studies show an increased risk among women, and at least one report says obese men may also be at risk.

Women treated with radiation therapy, particularly for problems in the uterus, are at a greater risk. Patients exposed to thorium dioxide, a radioactive substance used in the 1920s with certain X-rays (no longer used), have an increased rate of renal cell carcinoma.

Signs and symptoms of kidney cancer

Most persons with kidney cancer are asymptomatic until disease is advanced. Symptoms of kidney cancer mainly include:

  • Haematuria or bloody urine
  • Lump in the region of kidney
  • Blood clots in bladder
  • Persistent raised temperature
  • Pain in the sides or back
  • Weight loss

A significant number of persons have nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, fatigue, intermittent fever, and hypertension.

Diagnosis of kidney cancer

Diagnosis of kidney cancer mainly include

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
  • Ultrasound scan
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan
  • CT- guided biopsy
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Treatment of kidney cancer

If the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, kidney cancer can often be cured. Surgery is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. Depending on the stage of the disease and overall health situation of a patient, several surgical options can be applied.

When the tumor is small and confined to a certain portion of the kidney, only part of the kidney and the adrenal gland, or even the surrounding tissue, may have to be removed if the cancer has spread over a large area.

In some cases, hormonal treatment or biological treatment can be used either after surgery or when a cancer cannot be removed surgically. Occasionally radiation therapy is used. In rare cases, kidney cancer spontaneously improves without any treatment.

Quitting smoking, eating healthy food, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing high blood pressure, and avoiding exposure to environmental toxins can all help reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer.

Homeopathy treatment of kidney cancer symptoms

homeopathy medicines for treating symptoms of kidney cancerHomeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach.

This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering.

The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat renal cell carcinoma symptoms but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, many medicines are available for symptoms of renal cell carcinoma and wilm’s tumor treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensation, modalities of the complaints.

For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. Some homeopathic remedies which could be helpful in the treatment of kidney cancer symptoms on the basis of symptom similarity and are mentioned in the homeopathy repertories are:

Ionized Radiation
Anilinum
Arsenicum Album
Asparagus Officinalis
Barosma Crenulatum
Atropa Belladonna
Benzoicum Acidum
Berberis Vulgaris
Cannabis Sativa
Cantharis Vesicatoria, Meloe Vesicatorius
Chimaphila Umbellata
Erythroxylum Coca
Crotalus Horridus
Curare Woorari
Epigaea Repens
Formica Rufa
Helonias Dioica
Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum
Kali Iodatum, Kali Hydriodicum
Kali Phosphoricum
Mercurius Solubilis Hahnemanni
Moschus Moschiferum
Nitricum Acidum
Phosphorus
Populus Tremuloides
Sarsaparilla Officinalis
Solidago Virga Aurea
Veratrum Viride

About the author

Dr. Manish Bhatia

- BHMS, BCA, M.Sc Homeopathy (UK), CICH (Greece), MD (Hom)
- Associate Professor, Organon & Homeopathic Philosophy, SKH Medical College, Jaipur
- Founder Director of Hpathy.com
- Editor, Homeopathy for Everyone
- Co-author - Homeopathy and Mental Health Care: Integrative Practice, Principles and Research
- Author - Lectures on Organon of Medicine vol 1, 2, 3. CCH Approved. (English, German, Bulgarian)
- Awardee - Raja Pajwan Dev Award for Excellence in the Field of Medicine; APJ Abdul Kalam Award for Excellence in Homeopathy Education
- Visit Dr. Bhatia's website

3 Comments

  • My Mother diagnosed with Clear cell Renal cell carcinoma. lung metastases also reported..plz help and suggest whether the cure is possible or not

  • My wife used to get articariaoften and there was little or no relief even after blood tests.However he opted for an ultrasound and then it wa detectein 2012,Immediate CT scan confimed RCC 5cm encapsulated formation.In matter of 4 days a right renal partial nefractomy was done by robotic surjury and the was successfully removed.Recovery was smooth.PET scan confimed there was no recurrence in 2013,2014,2015but a small size of formaton like hymenjyoma was noted in uscan and was advised to avoid any injurt toit.samewasnoted in 2016 and diagonised as before.This increased in 2017 and 2018.In 2019 it was palpable from outside and were advised against biopsy as it could bleed.In 2020 pet scan cofirmed it was met and we consuklted a oncologist. Now my wife was 79 years of age and were advised chemotherapy.Till now mywife was healthy and active.The Chemo involing tab Axinitb and and inj Pro Started on 3 wkly basis and gave side effect like Daily low fever,body pain,nausea,loss of weifgt and lethargy.It is nearly 1.6 years but giving her no marked relief .Her side effect has reduced her to skelton,lethargy,Minimum once rise of temp upto 100.3F giving her intence pain in body.Recent pet scan report is awaited. Can you suggest some treatment to reduce agony and pain.She is now 80years 9 months old.can you suggest some medicine to counter side effects please.

    • I would buy Cadmium sulph 30C and 200C and start with the 30C, give a dose of that and see if it makes a difference. If it does, drop one or 2 pellets in half a bottle of water, a dose is a sip, shake the bottle before each dose, and take as needed. And if it were me, I’d stop the chemo.

Leave a Comment

Subscribe
Homeopathy for Everyone
Learn homeopathy with the world's greatest experts every month - for FREE!
World's No.1 Homeopathy e-Journal - for the community, by the community.
No Thanks!