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Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancers are of two types: those that arise from the substance of the
kidney and those which arise from the system in the kidney which collects
urine. The treatment of localized kidney cancer is surgical excision. The
type and extent of surgery is determined by the type of tumor, its location
and its size.
At the MGH we have a number of methods of treating this disease, some of which are not widely available. As with all urologic cancers, a multidisciplinary approach is taken. A medical oncologist who specializes in kidney cancer and a urologic surgeon and radiation therapist who provides specialized methods of treatment make up the team. For example, some type of tumors of the collecting system may be dealt with without the need for an incision. These tumors are approached through the urinary tract with special instruments. Other tumors of the substance of the kidney may be approached laparoscopically where part or all of the kidney is removed.
Two types of therapy which are available at the MGH and are not widely available elsewhere are radiofrequency ablation of small tumors and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). The former involves placing a needle under x-ray guidance into the tumor and applying energy to kill it. This process is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient. Intraoperative radiation therapy is performed in a specially equipped operating room, which contains a linear accelerator. Patients who are candidates for this therapy are those who have extensive local disease which cannot be totally excised surgically. Under these circumstances, high dose radiation therapy is applied to the residual tumor to kill any that remains.
For patients with metastatic renal cancer, there are a number of chemotherapy and immunotherapy protocols available. These are administered by a medical oncologist who specializes in treating kidney cancer.
Kidney Cancer Questions – from the MGH Cancer Center
Kidney Cancer General Information – from the MGH Cancer Center
Information about Kidney Stones – from MGH Urology
More information about kidney cancer – from the National Cancer Institute