Research and trials into new and better therapies for kidney cancer that will increase the survival rates and preserve kidney function are ongoing and include:
- New chemotherapies directed against the pathways known to be involved in the development of renal cell carcinoma are being constantly tested. Currently, there are now five FDA approved drugs for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer.
- Tumors once thought to be unresectable (unremovable) because of extension into the heart, or encasement of the vena cava or aorta, are now often being done through a multidisciplinary team approach, consisting of vascular, cardiac and urologic surgeons. The results have been generally good, for patients who were often felt to be beyond effective treatment.
- Laparoscopic and percutaneous renal cryosurgery is a new, less invasive form of treatment that freezes and destroys small kidney tumors without more extensive open surgery. It has less complications and a faster recover than traditional surgery and can often be performed as an outpatient.
- Immunotherapy (to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer cells) is under development at this time as well. Such vaccine therapies are still highly experimental however.
- Cryoimmunotherapy is a new development for advanced kidney cancer, pioneered by the Hopkins group (Rodriguez and Fuchs), and represents a very exciting new modality in development for patients with advanced disease not amenable to traditional treatment.
Research and trials into new and better therapies for kidney cancer
that will increase the survival rates and preserve kidney function
are ongoing and include: New chemotherapies directed against the
pathways known to be involved in the development...
More
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Research and trials into new and better therapies for kidney cancer that will increase the survival rates and preserve kidney function are ongoing and include:
