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Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, is among the top ten most common cancers in the world and includes any cancer derived from renal tubular epithelial cells. Clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma are the major subtypes of kidney cancer. In the United States, the median age at diagnosis is 64 years, and men have higher incidence rates of kidney cancer than women. The risk of developing kidney cancer is increased with age, excess body weight, hypertension, and smoking. Chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation, and acquired kidney cystic disease have been associated with kidney cancer.

Kidney Cancer Condition Overview

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BackTable is a knowledge resource for physicians by physicians. Get practical advice on Kidney Cancer and how to build your practice by listening to the BackTable Urology Podcast, reading exclusing BackTable Articles, and following the work of our Contributors.

Ep 149 ESMO: Practice Changing Breakthroughs with Dr. Rana McKay and Dr. Neeraj Agarwal
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Kidney Cancer Diagnosis

Widespread use of imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and CT scans, performed for a reason unrelated to cancer screening, have led to many incidental findings of renal cell carcinoma. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma often presents with exophytic growth, heterogeneity, or hemorrhage. Symptoms of hypercalcaemia, fever, and erythrocytosis may occur in kidney cancer patients with paraneoplastic syndromes. A diagnosis can be made with a renal core biopsy or a partial or radical nephrectomy specimen is used to confirm malignancy. Staging is assessed with CT imaging with contrast enhancement of the chest, abdominal cavity, and pelvis. MRI is useful for evaluating the extent of the tumor into the vena cava tumor thrombus. Laboratory tests, such as hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelet counts, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and serum-corrected calcium levels, are run for a prognosis.

Kidney Cancer Podcasts

Listen to leading physicians discuss kidney cancer on the BackTable Urology Podcast. Get tips, tricks, and expert guidance from your peers and level up your practice.

Episode #149

Urology

This week on BackTable Urology, urologic oncologist Dr. Bogdana Schmidt (University of Utah) hosts a discussion with medical oncology experts Dr. Rana McKay (UC San Diego) and Dr. Neeraj Agarwal (University of Utah) on recent clinical trials from bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer research presented at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Meeting.

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Episode #134

Urology

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia and Dr. Christopher Anderson (Columbia University) discuss the diagnosis and workup of kidney cancer, including renal biopsy techniques.

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Episode #126

Urology

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia (UCSD), medical oncologist Dr. Rana McKay (UCSD) and radiation oncologist Dr. Shankar Siva (University of Melbourne) discuss the growing role of radiation therapy in kidney cancer treatment.

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Episode #81

Urology

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, Dr. Ari Hakimi (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), and Dr. Nirmish Singla (Johns Hopkins University), discuss the value and indications for germline testing in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

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Episode #63

Urology

In this special episode, Dr. Phil Pierorazio (University of Pennsylvania) invites Dr. Rana McKay (UC San Diego) and Dr. Raquibul Hannan (UT Southwestern) about treatment options for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients in preparation for the 2022 International Kidney Cancer Symposium in Austin, Texas.

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Episode #56

Urology

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia speaks with urologist Dr. Karim Bensalah from the Universitaire de Rennes and medical oncologist Dr. Rana McKay from UC San Diego about adjuvant therapy for advanced kidney cancer.

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Episode #26

Urology

Dr. Phillip Pierorazio from Penn Urology discusses the management of small renal masses. Listen to the full episode to hear about imaging modalities for small renal masses, distinguishing between cysts and solid tumors, ablation, enucleation, partial nephrectomy, and special considerations for von Hippel-Landau (VHL) patients.

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Episode #10

Urology

Dr. Aditya Bagrodia interviews Dr. Vitaly Margulis, professor of urology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, about locally advanced kidney cancer. They discuss various topics including classification of locally advanced kidney cancers, various imaging modalities for staging cancer, special considerations for tumor-thrombus formation, targeted therapy vs. checkpoint inhibitors, and robotic vs. open nephrectomies.

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Kidney Cancer Treatment

Kidney cancer treatment varies with the type and stage of the disease. Interventions for localized renal cell carcinoma include partial or radical nephrectomy, ablation, or active surveillance. Ablative therapies and active surveillance are often used for elderly patients or patients with competing health risks where surgery is not an option. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma can be managed with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as sunitinib, or immunotherapies, such as cytokines that enhance anti-tumor immune activity

Kidney Cancer Articles

Read our exclusive BackTable Urology Articles for quick insights on kidney cancer, provided by physicians for physicians.

Kidney cancer surgery, specifically, a nephrectomy

Kidney cancer surgery can be aggressive or conservative, depending on various factors. This article discusses when to perform a partial vs. radical nephrectomy, the indications for lymph node dissection, and the viability of a robotic approach.

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the interior vena cava

Tumor thrombus formation is common in locally advanced kidney cancer, and can lead to bland thrombus, pulmonary emboli, and even Budd-Chiari syndrome. The risk of pulmonary emboli creates unique challenges during kidney cancer surgery.

References

[1] Hsieh, J. J., Purdue, M. P., Signoretti, S., Swanton, C., Albiges, L., Schmidinger, M., Heng, D. Y., Larkin, J., & Ficarra, V. (2017, March 9). Renal cell carcinoma. Nature reviews. Disease primers. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5936048/

Disclaimer: The Materials available on https://www.BackTable.com/ are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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Podcasts

ESMO: Practice Changing Breakthroughs with Dr. Rana McKay and Dr. Neeraj Agarwal on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
The Role of Renal Mass Biopsy in Modern Urology with Dr. Christopher Anderson on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
Radiation’s Evolving Role in Kidney Cancer: From Resistance to Relevance with Dr. Rana McKay and Dr. Shankar Siva on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
Germline Testing in Kidney Cancer with Dr. Ari Hakimi and Dr. Nirmish Singla on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
Multidisciplinary Management of RCC with Dr. Rana McKay and Dr. Raquibul Hannan on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
Perfecting Rectal Spacer Placement for Optimal Care with Dr. Neil Taunk on the BackTable Urology Podcast)

Articles

Kidney cancer surgery, specifically, a nephrectomy

Kidney Cancer Surgery: Nephrectomy, Lymph Node Dissection, When & Why

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the interior vena cava

Tumor Thrombus & Budd Chiari Syndrome in Kidney Cancer

Contributors

Dr. Neeraj Agarwal on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Neeraj Agarwal

Dr. Christopher Anderson on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Christopher Anderson

Dr. Karim Bensalah on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Karim Bensalah

Dr. Ari Hakimi on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Ari Hakimi

Dr. Raquibul Hannan on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Raquibul Hannan

Dr. Vitaly Margulis on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Vitaly Margulis

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