Treatment for kidney cancer can vary widely depending on the tumor’s stage and whether the cancer has spread to other organs. Small tumors may not need immediate surgery, while cancer that has spread will require a complex and multidisciplinary approach. 

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Kidney Cancer: Why Choose Johns Hopkins 

• Our clinical team includes experts in urologic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, nephrology, pathology and radiology. This multidisciplinary approach is especially important to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
• We employ the most cutting-edge approaches to diagnosis and treatment including minimally-invasive/robotic surgical techniques, novel molecular imaging and the newest combination systemic therapies, with the opportunity to enroll in clinical trials when appropriate.
• We have an actively growing multidisciplinary research program that includes six primary research sub-programs: Immuno-Oncology, Molecular Imaging, Novel Therapeutics, Biomarker Discovery, Stereotactic Radiation and Engineering. Our basic, clinical and translational research efforts are built on several internal and external collaborations spanning across urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, nephrology, pathology, radiology, immunology, basic science, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, statistics and epidemiology.

The foundation of our Kidney Cancer Program is three pillars: Patient Care, Research and Education. In accordance with these pillars, we have the following programmatic Objectives:

• To improve survival and reduce treatment-related morbidity among patients with kidney cancer
• To characterize the biology of kidney cancer and translate scientific discoveries from the laboratory to the patient
• To improve imaging techniques and identify non-invasive biomarkers to improve diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tools for patients with kidney cancer
• To identify therapeutic targets, develop novel drugs, lead clinical trials, and understand mechanisms of therapeutic resistance
• To establish a multidisciplinary clinic comprised of experts who integrate cutting-edge approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer
• To personalize the care of patients across the full spectrum of kidney cancer, including localized, locally advanced, and metastatic disease
• To foster educational opportunities and engage students and trainees in kidney cancer research

Treatment for Kidney Cancer

One size does not fit all when it comes to kidney cancer treatment. Your surgeon will tailor treatment options depending on the extent of your cancer, whether it has spread to other organs and if you have any other health conditions. 

For small tumors that have not spread, you may be a candidate for our active surveillance program, in which you will receive regular observation and imaging, but treatment is delayed unless the tumor grows. 

Our experts treat hundreds of patients each year using a complete range of surgical techniques: 

Open Surgery 

• Nephrectomy with vein/vena cava involvement 
• Radical nephrectomy (total kidney removal)
• Partial nephrectomy (kidney-sparing surgery)

Minimally Invasive Techniques 

• Robotic kidney surgery 
• Laparoscopic radical or partial nephrectomy
• Thermal ablation

While surgery is the primary treatment for localized kidney cancer, some treatments may also integrate therapies such as radiation or immunotherapy.