Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer

The UCLA Kidney Cancer Program Team of physicians, surgeons and clinical professionals are world renowned experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of kidney cancer from localized tumors (tumors confined to the kidney) to the most complicated metastatic, or advanced, kidney tumors (tumors that have spread to other organs or parts of the body).

Using our strong affiliation and collaborative approach with two of the world’s foremost cancer and research institutions (UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, gives us the ability to offer our patients unique access to world leaders in cancer research and enables us to provide a all-inclusive kidney cancer treatment program that incorporates both traditional and cutting-edge treatment options. (See Why Choose the UCLA Kidney Cancer Program?)

Based on the results of your medical history, a thorough physical examination and the results of your diagnostic tests, a UCLA Kidney Cancer Program oncologist will meet with you and discuss all of your treatment options, the expected results of the treatment, and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best suits your individual needs.

There are many factors considered in assessing which treatment option is best suited for a patient, including your medical history, current health condition, clinical and diagnostic test results, and patient preference. We will also take into account the tumor size, location, and stage of the disease -- that is, how large the tumor has grown, how deeply it has invaded the kidney, and whether it has (metastasized) spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes, or another part of the body. Based on the final assessment your doctor will recommend a treatment plan that may include surgery where all, or part, of the kidney is removed, tumor ablation, embolization or surveillance. Some patients will benefit from a combined approach that may include surgical removal in addition to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, research protocols or chemotherapy.