Brad Arnold, the lead singer of the Mississippi-based rock band 3 Doors Down, recently announced that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, specifically clear renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common form of kidney cancer.
In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, the 46-year-old singer revealed that the cancer had already metastasized to his lungs, confirming the disease is on its late stage.
As this sends waves of concerns through fans and the music community alike, here’s what they need to understand about stage 4 kidney cancer.
Brad Arnold Announces ‘Not-So-Good News’
In a video he posted to his Instagram, Arnold announced he got some “not-so-good news” for his fans.
He then revealed that he had fallen ill a couple of weeks earlier and went to the hospital for a check-up. It was there that he made the shocking revelation about his diagnosis
“I had clear cell renal carcinoma that had metastasized into my lung. And it’s Stage 4, and that’s not real good,” he said.
Despite the diagnosis, the rock star demonstrated his toughness, revealing both his resilience and unwavering faith.
“But you know what?” he continued. “We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all.”
However, him and the rest of the 3 Doors Down members are forced to cancel their summer tour so that he can focus on his health.
“We’re sorry for that.”
In his caption, Arnold claimed that their 2008 song, “It’s Not My Time,” is really for him. As he put it, the track is about “being resilient, going against the grain and going against the world when the world's trying to push you down, or take you out.”
He also asked for prayers in this new battle he has to face.
What is Stage 4 Kidney Cancer?
Stage 4 kidney cancer is the most advanced and serious stage of the disease. At this point, the cancer has spread beyond kidney to distant organs such as the lungs, bones, brain, or liver—condition known as metastatic kidney cancer.
In Arnold’s case, it has already spread to his lungs.
According to American Cancer Society, tumors at this stage have grown outside the kidney and invaded major blood vessels or surrounding lymph nodes.
With this condition, treatment becomes more complex, and the prognosis is more challenging. Sadly, this stage is considered incurable, though that doesn’t necessarily mean treatment is ineffective.
So, rather than aiming for a cure, the primary goal often shifts to prolonging and improving the patient’s quality of life through treatments that manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.
Is There Still a Treatment for Stage 4 Kidney Cancer?
Treatment for stage 4 kidney cancer depends on the extent of the spread and the patient’s overall health. So, one of these may be part of Arnold’s treatment options.
- Targeted Therapy – these drugs specifically target molecules that help cancer grow. Some medications will be prescribed to help slow tumor progression and spread.
- Immunotherapy – this treatment stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells, which are sometimes combined with targeted therapies. These treatments have become the frontline for advance RCC.
- Surgery – removal of the kidney with the tumor or cytoreductive nephrectomy can be part of the treatment plan. However, this can only be done if the spread is only limited and the patient is healthy enough. Surgery is often followed by immunotherapy to reduce recurrence risk.
- Palliative Care – this is often advised in stage 4 diagnoses to manage pain, fatigue, and emotional distress. This treatment focuses on the patient’s comfort and quality of life.
Other treatments include radiation therapy, ablation, or embolization to control symptoms or target specific metastatic sites.
We all hope for Arnold's speedy recovery.