Once diagnosed, there may different treatment options for kidney cancer. The specific treatment choice is determined by age, medical history, and the stage of cancer.
Active surveillance: Though kidney cancer may be diagnosed, treatment may not be necessary – especially in older patients. Our specialists may advise closely watching the disease rather than having immediate treatment. This approach has been shown in multiple clinical trials to be safe and effective. Any side effects of treatments like surgery and radiation therapy can be avoided.
Immunotherapy: These are treatments that enhance the body’s immune system to work harder in fighting cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a relatively new, safe alternative with minimal side effects that may lead to a cure. Many clinical trials are still ongoing.
Radiation therapy: Special machines deliver high-energy radiation rays to tumors. The rays shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. You may need it in certain conditions.
Recurrence monitoring: Kidney cancer can come back (recur) after treatment, even years later. We provide follow up tests to monitor for recurrent renal cell cancer.
Surgery: This is the primary treatment for patients with localized kidney cancer. In some cases, it is also necessary when you have metastatic disease. Depending upon your diagnosis and the size and location of the tumor, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive surgical removal of the tumor mass (partial nephrectomy). In some cases we may need to remove the entire kidney (radical nephrectomy).
Our urologic surgeons have been performing minimally invasive nephrectomy since the early 1990s. Minimally invasive surgery can decrease your hospital stay, reduce the risk of infection, decrease pain and scarring, and facilitate a faster recovery.
Targeted therapy: New drugs target cancer at the molecular level to block or slow cancer cell growth. Many drugs have been approved already and they are the main systemic treatment for kidney cancer.