Types of kidney cancer treatments
While surgery is often the preferred treatment for kidney cancer, it may not be an option for everyone, such as people who are too unwell or those who prefer to avoid surgery.
We offer a range of kidney cancer treatments tailored to your unique needs. Our expert team takes an individualized approach, using the latest advancements and proven methods to give you the best possible outcome. Whether your treatment involves surgery, targeted therapy, or a combination of options, we’re committed to providing care that fits your health, goals, and lifestyle.
Surgical tumor resection (removal) of the kidney is the only known cure for kidney cancer. Surgery to remove part or all of the kidney is called a nephrectomy.
Types of nephrectomy surgery include:
- Radical (complete) nephrectomy: This procedure removes the entire kidney and some nearby lymph nodes. Surgeons perform traditional nephrectomies with one larger incision, or laparoscopically through several small incisions.
- Partial (nephron-sparing) nephrectomy: This procedure removes just part of the kidney. It may be performed with conventional surgery or with minimally invasive procedures.
Targeted molecular therapy is a type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to attack cancer cells. These drugs slow or stop the ability of cancer cells to grow and multiply.
In targeted therapy, we use a drug, or combination of drugs, to interfere with a target found on certain cancer cells. These targets are usually proteins that drive cancer’s growth and spread.
Because not every cancer develops in the same way in every person, we tailor your targeted therapy to your specific needs. Targeted therapies are available for both early and advanced stage kidney cancers.
Immunotherapy trains the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Research shows that immunotherapy drugs can help patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma live longer.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer. We may recommend radiation to improve your quality of life by easing cancer symptoms like bleeding and pain (a form of palliative care).
Our radiation oncologists use the latest equipment and technology, including proton therapy, to treat kidney cancer while protecting healthy tissue. As a result, patients have a better chance of being cured with fewer harmful side effects.
Ablation therapy uses energy sources to eliminate kidney cancers. This treatment is minimally invasive, so you have fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays than with traditional surgery. You may receive tumor ablation if you are too sick for surgery or don’t want to have surgery.
Our kidney cancer team includes a skilled interventional radiologist who performs ablation procedures. This ablation specialist uses advanced imaging, such as CT scans, to target tumors and spare healthy kidney tissue. You can also have more than one tumor treated during one ablation procedure.
We offer:
- Radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, which uses electrical currents made by radio waves to eliminate cancer cells
- Cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells
Most small kidney tumors grow slowly. Active surveillance can be an effective option because doctors find many kidney cancers early when they are still small.
Active surveillance involves taking regular images of the tumors to check them for growth and spread. This strategy allows you to avoid more invasive treatments and side effects.
Our kidney specialists customize your surveillance plan for your situation. You’re seen regularly by an advanced practice provider (APP) who is specially trained to notice any concerning changes in a tumor. If they do, they work with your doctors to get you timely treatment.