Kidney cancer treatment

Our multi-disciplinary team at Advocate Health Care includes specially trained nephrologists, urologists, reconstructive urologists, medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, genetics counselors and nurses, who are dedicated to caring for patients with kidney cancer.

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Comprehensive treatment plan

Nephrectomy surgery is the usual form of treatment for kidney cancer. Depending on the cancer stage, the surgeon may remove a portion of the kidney (partial nephrectomy), or the entire kidney. Occasionally, treatment involves removal of the adrenal gland (radical nephrectomy). Most people can function fine with one remaining healthy kidney. However, if both kidneys are removed or not working well, the person may need to begin dialysis therapy, a mechanical process that performs the function of the kidneys several times per week.

Treatment plans also may include:

Laparoscopic cryoablation: An outpatient procedure that uses extreme cold to freeze and kill cancer cells. Guided by CT-scan or ultrasound, the physician inserts a thin needle through the skin and into the tumor site.

Robotic nephrectomy: The mainstay of treatment for larger or more advanced kidney tumors. This procedure removes the entire kidney, which in many cases is the only treatment necessary to cure the cancer. In most cases, the procedure may be performed laparoscopically with a few small incisions to minimize pain and recovery time. For small to medium sized cancers, the urologists at Advocate Health Center are highly skilled and experienced in performing robotic partial nephrectomy, which is a minimally invasive approach to remove the tumor while preserving as much normal kidney function as possible. 

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): High-frequency electrical energy is used to kill cancer cells. Guided by X-ray or CT scan, the physician inserts a thin needle through the skin and into the tumor site. Electrodes at the end of the needle emit electrical energy that generates heat to destroy cancer cells.

Arterial embolization: A non-surgical procedure performed by an interventional radiologist that blocks blood supply to the kidney, preventing the tumor from obtaining oxygen that it needs to grow. This can be used to shrink a tumor or help relieve kidney cancer symptoms. Arterial embolization also may be performed before surgery to help shrink the tumor.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy: Biological substances interleukin and interferon are used in high doses to stimulate the body's immune response to attack the cancer. New medications also can target the growth factors that allow kidney cancer cells to grow and block them.