National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
Send to Printer
Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)     
Last Modified: 11/27/2007
Health Professional Version
Renal Cell Carcinoma

Standard Treatment Options



Standard Treatment Options

The primary treatment for renal cell carcinoma includes total surgical removal of the kidney and associated lymph nodes. There is a report of an initial experience with partial nephrectomy in selected patients to preserve renal function with an outcome comparable to total nephrectomy.[1] There is no evidence that adjuvant therapy is of benefit in children with lymph-node positive, nonmetastatic disease.[2] Treatment of unresectable metastatic disease is presently unsatisfactory but usually includes the use of immune system modulators such as interferon-alpha and interleukin-2.[3] Rare spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastasis may occur with resection of the primary tumor. (Refer to the PDQ summary on adult Renal Cell Cancer Treatment 1 for more information.)

References

  1. Cook A, Lorenzo AJ, Salle JL, et al.: Pediatric renal cell carcinoma: single institution 25-year case series and initial experience with partial nephrectomy. J Urol 175 (4): 1456-60; discussion 1460, 2006.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  2. Geller JI, Dome JS: Local lymph node involvement does not predict poor outcome in pediatric renal cell carcinoma. Cancer 101 (7): 1575-83, 2004.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  3. Fyfe G, Fisher RI, Rosenberg SA, et al.: Results of treatment of 255 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received high-dose recombinant interleukin-2 therapy. J Clin Oncol 13 (3): 688-96, 1995.  [PUBMED Abstract]



Table of Links

1http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/renalcell/HealthProfessional