Treating Kidney Cancer
The goal of your kidney cancer care team is to find the best cancer treatment that will give you the best possible outcome.
Many factors are considered when recommending a treatment, including whether your cancer is localized (confined to the kidney) or advanced (spread beyond the kidney to other parts of the body). Other considerations are your cancer’s stage, grade and type.
Doctors consult the latest research and outcomes data to identify which treatments are most effective for your exact type of cancer.
By combining real-world care experience with the latest in medical knowledge, they can tailor the most advanced and most effective approach to your kidney cancer treatment.
Making a Treatment Decision
Planning your kidney cancer treatment is highly personalized. Factors your care team considers when making a treatment plan include:
- Your kidney cancer type, stage and grade
- Your health history
- Your current medical condition
- Your personal preferences
Together, this information allows us to recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Who Decides My Treatment
You decide your treatment. As you meet with your doctor to discuss the treatment plan, it’s important that you share your wishes and that your treatment plan supports those wishes. Ask questions. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with treatment decisions every step of the way.
Learn More About Advance Care Planning in Treatment Decision Making
Tumor Board
Your doctor may consult a tumor board if you have a rare cancer, your cancer has not responded to previous treatment or your cancer has returned (is recurrent).
A tumor board is a group of experts at your hospital who meet regularly to discuss kidney cancer cases. This group includes urologic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, uropathologists, uroradiologists and others. They share knowledge and consult national databases of kidney cancer cases with your genomic profile. Together they identify the most effective treatments, including clinical trials, to target your kidney cancer.
Surgery for Kidney Cancer
Surgery is the most common treatment for localized kidney cancer. Some people with advanced kidney cancer also may have surgery along with systemic medical and/or radiation therapies.
Palliative Care
Supporting both your physical and mental well-being throughout kidney cancer treatment
Symptoms & Side Effects
Throughout your kidney care journey, you may experience symptoms from the cancer itself, or side effects from your treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
•What is the goal of treatment?
•Is there more than one treatment option?
•What are the possible risks?
•What are the possible side effects?
•How long will my treatment last?
•How will we know if my treatment is working?
•What outcome should I expect?
•What are the chances my cancer will return?
•Is there a clinical trial for my type of kidney cancer?
•If so, should I participate?