EDUCATION

The goal of treatment is to remove most or all of the cancer. Doing so may preserve kidney function. This may also keep cancer from spreading or coming back. The most common treatment is surgery, but other methods may be used. The treatment plan is based on the type of kidney cancer, patient's age, general health, and outlook. Comfort measures are given to those with later stages of cancer.

The care team will be made up of doctors, surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. It is important to stay in touch with your care team, follow the course of treatment, and go to appointments to get the best outcomes.

Kidney cancer treatment includes:

Surgery
Biologic and targeted therapy
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Lifestyle changes
Managing the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment

Treatments for many cancers are always changing. Some have yet to be found. As a result, clinical trials exist around the world. You may wish to ask your doctor if you should enlist in a clinical trial. You can find out about them at the US National Institutes of Health website.

REFERENCES:

Kidney cancer treatment. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/treating.html. Accessed February 28, 2020.

Kidney cancer: treatment. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kc-treatment. Accessed February 28, 2020.

Renal cell carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114704/Renal-cell-carcinoma. Updated October 10, 2018. Accessed February 28, 2020.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/patient/kidney-treatment-pdq#section/_93. Updated May 22, 2019. Accessed February 28, 2020.

Last reviewed December 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP  Last Updated: 2/28/2020