The information on this page was reviewed and approved by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA.
This page was updated on November 5, 2020.
Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in the United States. And yet many symptoms, such as blood in the urine, fatigue or unexplained weight loss, may be overlooked or dismissed as side effects of less serious illnesses. That is why an accurate and timely diagnosis is important. If you or your loved one has received a kidney cancer diagnosis, the cancer experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) will take the time to develop a personalized treatment plan designed to meet your needs.
The oncologists at CTCA® have extensive experience in diagnosing and staging kidney cancer and developing a comprehensive treatment plan that also helps each patient address related side effects. Our cancer hospitals offer an array of options for treating the disease, such as robotic surgery, laparoscopic nephrectomy, targeted therapy and other and evidence-informed approaches.
Surgery is the first line of treatment for kidney cancer. Other treatments, such as targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may also be recommended, either alone or in combination. You may also be a candidate for immunotherapy. Your multidisciplinary team of cancer experts will answer your questions and recommend treatment options based on your unique diagnosis and needs. Common treatments for kidney cancer include:
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs are designed to allow the immune system to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended to treat early-stage cancer, or it may be used in combination with other forms of treatment for more advanced-stage disease.
Gastroenterology
Our gastroenterology team treats disorders of the digestive system, playing an important role in diagnosing and treating kidney cancer.
Chemotherapy
If chemotherapy is recommended for your specific type of cancer, your care team will create a chemotherapy regimen tailored to your needs.
Interventional radiology
Interventional radiology allows doctors to visualize tumors in the kidneys and perform real-time image-guided interventional procedures.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy drugs may be recommended for certain kidney cancer patients when surgery is not an option and when a tumor shows specific genetic features.
At CTCA, we understand that managing the side effects of cancer treatment present additional challenges. In addition to treating your kidney cancer with evidence-based conventional medicine, your team of experts will offer supportive care therapies designed to help you maintain your quality of life throughout treatment. These therapies may include:
Every patient has the option of meeting with a registered dietitian.
Learn More
Kidney cancer occurs when a malignant tumor forms in the tissue of the kidney. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, protected by the lower ribcage. Their main function is to filter blood and remove excess water, salt and waste from the body. Although the body has two kidneys, the body can function with one, if necessary.
"The treatments were difficult to get through at times. My hands became numb and I had very painful mouth sores that lasted throughout chemotherapy. After the six hours of chemotherapy infusion, there were times when I could not make it to my room unassisted. But the truth is, I never had to make it to my room unassisted. There was always someone there to help. My care team did their best to help reduce the pain of the mouth sores and to provide comfort in whatever way they could."
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