Treatment of kidney cancer

Cancer treatment is given by cancer specialists (oncologists). Some specialize in surgery, some in radiation therapy and others in chemotherapy (drugs). These doctors work with the person with cancer to decide on a treatment plan.

Treatment plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each person with cancer. Treatment decisions for kidney cancer are based on:

• the stage of kidney cancer
• whether the person has 1 or 2 working kidneys
• whether the kidney cancer is in 1 or both kidneys
• type of kidney cancer
• overall health of the person with kidney cancer

Treatment options for kidney cancer

• surgery
  • Surgery is the primary treatment for kidney cancer.
  • A radical nephrectomy is used to try to completely remove an early-stage kidney tumour.
  • A partial nephrectomy is used in certain cases to conserve normal kidney tissue and function.
  • Palliative surgery may be used to reduce pain or ease symptoms of advanced kidney cancer.
• targeted therapy
  • Targeted therapy is used for metastatic or recurrent kidney cancer, or kidney cancer that is too advanced to be removed by surgery.
  • The type of targeted therapy will depend on the type of kidney cancer, the level of risk, and any previous targeted therapies used.
• biological therapy
  • Biological therapy is now rarely used in Canada, as targeted therapies have been shown to be more effective treatments.
  • It may be used in specialized treatment centres with people who have kidney cancer that is no longer responding to targeted therapy.
• arterial embolization
  • Arterial embolization is used to reduce the pain of advanced kidney cancer for people who cannot have surgery.
  • It may be used before surgery to reduce bleeding when a large kidney tumour is removed.
• radiation therapy
  • External beam radiation therapy may be used to relieve pain or to control the symptoms of advanced kidney cancer (palliative radiation therapy).
• active surveillance
  • Active surveillance means following the progression of a disease that is not showing any signs or symptoms with a series of tests over regular time intervals.
  • It is not offered for young and healthy people with kidney cancer.
  • It may be offered for people with small kidney tumours who are elderly or ill and have other health concerns.
  • Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound, are used on a regular basis to watch the progression of the tumour.
  • Currently, active surveillance is rarely used in Canada.
• follow-up after treatment is finished
  • It is important to have regular follow-up visits, especially in the first 3 years after treatment.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials investigate better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. There are some clinical trials in Canada that are open to people with kidney cancer. For more information, go to clinical trials.

Information about specific cancer drugs.

See a list of questions to ask your doctor about treatment.