Renal cell carcinoma Health Article

Treatment

Surgical removal of all or part of the kidney (nephrectomy) is recommended. This may include removing the bladder or surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy does not usually work for renal cell carcinoma so it is not often used. Hormone treatments may reduce the growth of the tumor in some cases.

Chemotherapy is generally not effective for treating renal cell carcinoma. The drug interleukin-2 (IL-2) is effective in a small percentage of patients, but it is very toxic. Other chemotherapy drugs have been used, but patients generally do not live long once the disease has spead outside the kidney.

Newer therapies include sorafenib (Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), and temsirolimus (Torisel). The biologic drug bevacizumab (Avastin) has also been used.

A cure is unlikely unless all of the cancer is removed with surgery.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group and kidney disease - support group.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on how much the cancer has spread and how well it responds to treatment. The survival rate is highest if the tumor is in the early stages and has not spread outside the kidney. If it has spread to the lymph nodes or to other organs, the survival rate is much lower.

Complications

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High calcium level
• High red blood cell count
• Liver function abnormalities
• Spread of the cancer

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider any time you see blood in the urine. Also call if you have any other symptoms of this disorder.

Prevention

Stop smoking. Follow your health care provider's recommendations in the treatment of kidney disorders, especially those that may require dialysis.

References

Barjorin D. Tumors of the kidney, bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 2007.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Kidney Cancer. V.1.2009. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2009.