At the Abramson Cancer Center, you have access to proven kidney cancer treatments and exciting new therapies. Our multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized kidney cancer experts gets to know you, your health and life goals. They work with you to pick the right treatments at the right time for the best results.
Treating Kidney Cancer: Why Choose the Abramson Cancer Center?
Our comprehensive kidney cancer program provides people with more renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment options than ever before. Working together under one roof, our team of world-class kidney cancer specialists uses the latest research and years of experience to create effective, personalized treatment plans.
We also offer:
- Robotic-assisted procedures: Our surgeons are skilled in robotic-assisted complete and partial nephrectomies (kidney removal). Our patients experience less blood loss, more precise stitching (suturing) and better outcomes, including improved long-term kidney function. We also perform robotic-assisted complex partial nephrectomies that other centers can’t do.
- Comprehensive RCC treatment options: We offer the latest advances in every area of renal cancer treatment, including renal cell carcinoma immunotherapies and targeted therapies. We also offer the latest radiation options, including proton therapy. And our world-class surgeons offer every kind of kidney cancer treatment available. These options include minimally invasive nephrectomies for small and large tumors and partial nephrectomies that help maintain kidney function.
- Expertise in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Our oncologists have been instrumental in developing some of the standard regimens to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer that has spread to other areas of the body). They also continue to push the limits of what’s possible in the care of metastatic disease through clinical trials. Their knowledge and experience help our patients live longer.
- Kidney cancer clinical trials: At the Abramson Cancer Center, you have access to many clinical trials for kidney cancer. Some of these trials have led to more and better kidney cancer treatments. Learn more about our genitourinary cancer clinical trials.
- Pathologists who specialize in urologic cancers: Identifying the right molecular targets is a key part of targeted therapy. It requires working closely with pathologists to carefully analyze the cancer cells. Our pathologists are experts in urologic cancers like kidney cancer. They can uncover key details that others may miss.
- Urgent care for treatment side effects: Sometimes cancer treatments cause unpleasant or serious side effects. For that reason, we offer same-day appointments in our Oncology Evaluation Center (OEC). The OEC is urgent care dedicated to patients on active treatment. You receive care from providers with expertise in cancer treatment side effects. Their care keeps you safe and on track with your treatment plan. Read more about managing cancer treatment side effects.
- Compassionate, supportive care: Care with us considers your needs from head to toe. We offer services to help you and your family cope with the physical and emotional stress of living with cancer. See our patient and family cancer support services.
Kidney Cancer Treatments
Our kidney cancer treatment options include:
Nephrectomy
Surgical resection (removal) of the kidney is the only known cure for kidney cancer. Types of kidney cancer 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. Our surgeons are partial nephrectomy experts, successfully performing operations that other hospitals can’t do.
Targeted Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Targeted molecular therapy is a type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to attack cancer cells. These drugs slow or stop their ability 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 personalize targeted therapy to you. We offer targeted therapies for both early and advanced stage kidney cancers.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Immunotherapy
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 for Kidney Cancer
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 are recognized leaders in radiation techniques that protect healthy tissue. They use the latest equipment and technology, including proton therapy, to treat kidney cancer. As a result, patients have a better chance of being cured with fewer harmful side effects.
Renal Ablation
Ablation therapy uses energy sources to kill 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 (uses electrical currents made by radio waves to kill cancer cells)
- Cryotherapy (uses extreme cold to kill cancer cells)
Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting)
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 surveillance plans to each patient. You are regularly seen by advanced practice providers (APP) who are specially trained to notice any concerning changes in a tumor. If they do, they work with your doctors to get you timely treatment.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.