Cancer can affect the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs in the body that help get rid of waste products and filter blood. There are several types of standard treatment for kidney cancer, and the course of treatment usually depends on the stage of disease and the patient's overall health. One or more types of treatment may be used, depending on the specific situation.
Surgery
According to the American Cancer Society, surgery is the most common form of treatment for renal cell carcinoma, with the most common type of surgery being a radical nephrectomy. A radical nephrectomy is the removal of the entire kidney, the adrenal gland attached to it and the fatty tissue that surrounds the kidney. This procedure may also be done laparascopically. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed, a process called regional lymphadenectomy. A partial nephrectomy is only the removal of the cancerous part of the kidney. This surgery is done to preserve some kidney function, such as in individuals with only one kidney, or those who have cancer in both kidneys. Surgery may also be done to remove any metastases and relieve symptoms the cancer may be causing.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies are drugs that work on specific components of cancer cells and the changes that take place in these abnormal cells. These drugs have a narrower mode of action, which helps them be more effective. The American Cancer Society lists some of these medications for kidney cancer as including sorafenib (brand name Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), temsirolimus (Torisel) and bevacizumab (Avastin). These medications can be given as a pill or intravenously, depending on the drug.
Radiation Therapy
The National Cancer Institute lists radiation therapy as one of the standard treatments for kidney cancer; this treatment involves the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and slow the growth of cancer. This kind of therapy can be administered in two ways: externally, which uses a machine to aim the radiation at the cancerous area; and internally, when radioactive pellets or wires are directly implanted into or near the cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, or biologic therapy, is another standard treatment for kidney cancer, according to both the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society. This mode of treatment helps build up the immune system to be able to fight cancer cells more effectively. The American Cancer Society describes this kind of treatment as only used in individuals for whom targeted therapies are not effective, since side effects can be serious and toxic. The primary biologic therapies used are cytokines, which help stimulate the immune system. These medications include interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow down the growth of cancer. Kidney cancer tends to be resistant to chemotherapy, however, according to the American Cancer Society. There is also no standard regimen for kidney cancer, but several drugs are used. These drugs are typically given to individuals whose cancer is not responsive to targeted or biologic therapies. Chemotherapy drugs used to treat kidney cancer include vinblastine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine, gemcitabine and floxuridine.
