Managing hereditary kidney cancer

When your provider finds cancer early, while it has a low risk of spreading, they may recommend active surveillance as an effective approach. Our skilled advanced practice providers (APPs) regularly check tumors for growth and spread. This allows you to avoid more invasive treatments and side effects.

Our APPs specialize in the care of urologic cancers like renal cell carcinoma. Their special training in this area helps them notice any concerning changes early—when treatment can have the most impact.

If you have hereditary kidney cancer, there’s a higher chance of developing multiple tumors throughout the body. One treatment option is kidney removal surgery (nephrectomy). While this can be effective, it’s important to understand that it may affect your kidney function in the long run.

If you aren’t a candidate for or prefer to avoid traditional kidney cancer surgery, renal ablation offers a less invasive option.

Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses energy sources like electrical currents (radiofrequency ablation) or extreme cold (cryotherapy) to destroy tumors. With the help of advanced imaging technology, our specialists can precisely target tumors while preserving healthy kidney tissue. This approach often leads to:

• Fewer complications
• The ability to treat multiple tumors at the same time
• Shorter hospital stays

At Penn Medicine, our kidney cancer team includes an interventional radiologist specializing in tumor ablation. This collaborative approach means your entire team contributes to the decision-making process for your treatment, not just your ablation specialist.

When your provider finds cancer early, while it has a low risk of spreading, they may recommend active surveillance as an effective approach. Our skilled advanced practice providers (APPs) regularly check tumors for growth and spread. This allows you to avoid more invasive treatments and side effects.

Our APPs specialize in the care of urologic cancers like renal cell carcinoma. Their special training in this area helps them notice any concerning changes early—when treatment can have the most impact.

If you have hereditary kidney cancer, there’s a higher chance of developing multiple tumors throughout the body. One treatment option is kidney removal surgery (nephrectomy). While this can be effective, it’s important to understand that it may affect your kidney function in the long run.

If you aren’t a candidate for or prefer to avoid traditional kidney cancer surgery, renal ablation offers a less invasive option.

Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses energy sources like electrical currents (radiofrequency ablation) or extreme cold (cryotherapy) to destroy tumors. With the help of advanced imaging technology, our specialists can precisely target tumors while preserving healthy kidney tissue. This approach often leads to:

• Fewer complications
• The ability to treat multiple tumors at the same time
• Shorter hospital stays

At Penn Medicine, our kidney cancer team includes an interventional radiologist specializing in tumor ablation. This collaborative approach means your entire team contributes to the decision-making process for your treatment, not just your ablation specialist.