Kidney, -stones, Tumours

Kidney stones

• containing calcium (65%)
• uric acid (15%)
• phosphate (10%)
• following infection (10%)
• cystine (0,5 - 1%)

Therapy for kidney and ureter stones

Therapy for stones in kidney and ureter can vary greatly. Uric acid stones can in some cases be dissolved (Lysis therapy by urine alkalisation), whereas calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones cannot be dissolved.

Therapy is influenced by the size of the stones, their position, patient discomfort, and accompanying disorders. In 80% of cases, stones which do not exceed 4 mm may be eliminated spontaneously.

Possible therapies include breaking up the stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), endoscopic removal of the stones via the ureter ( Ureter orenoscopy) or by incision through the skin of the lower back (percutaneous nephrolithotomy).

Infections:

Pyelonephritis (pyelitis)
Pyonephrose
Tuberculosis

Kidney tumours

Benign tumours:

• Angiomyolipom
• Oncocytoma
• Leiomyoma
• Haemangioma
• Cysten

Malignant tumours:

• Adrenal carcinomas and renal pelvis tumours
• (Kidney sarcomas)
• (Wilms-tumor)

Therapy of kidney tumours:

In the case of malignant kidney tumours without metastasis, an operation is usually the preferred option. Depending on size and location of the tumour, surgery with retention of the organ may be possible; or it may be necessary to remove the kidney entirely (radical nephrectomy).
Benign tumours do not as a rule require therapy; exceptions may arise, for instance through bleeding or growth of an angiomyolipoma.