Kidney cancer affects tens-of-thousands every year, but research and care advances are improving survival chances and quality of life for patients, today and in the future. Kidney cancer occurs relatively frequently, with approximately 80,000 diagnoses each year in the U.S. While it’s more common in men, anyone can develop the condition, says Eric Singer, MD, MA, MS, chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “Kidney cancer is among the 10 most frequently-diagnosed cancers for both men and women,” he says. “Some of the risk factors are smoking, obesity, environmental or toxic exposures and family history. Kidney cancer treatment and surveillance Kidney cancer care has grown over the years to include a wide range of surgical and therapeutic options, including surveillance methods that enable some patients to avoid complex procedures. “With active surveillance, we're using radiology tests to see if small kidney masses are growing over time to help determine if those tumors need to be treated,” Singer says. When further intervention is required, advances in technology and techniques allow dedicated kidney cancer specialists like those at the OSUCCC – James to perform the latest procedures, including surgeries and other, less invasive methods. “Our surgeons have expertise in complex procedures, including robotics, that benefit our patients, even those who have multiple tumors, hereditary syndromes or may need re-operative surgeries,” Singer says. Singer and his team work closely with OSUCCC – James interventional radiologists to perform ablation procedures — destroying tumor cells through heat, cold or other methods — which can significantly reduce the physical impact on patients. “Our interventional radiology partners are experts at performing thermal ablation such as cryoablation, radio frequency ablation, and microwave ablation,” Singer says. “These work percutaneously, meaning that they only need pinhole-size openings to destroy tumors.” “Our radiation oncology partners are also able to perform stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) with high dose radiation in properly selected patients.” Singer says. Click here to learn more about kidney cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University. Kidney cancer clinical trials The increased options for personalized kidney cancer treatment are the results of years of research. Those efforts continue at the OSUCCC – James, where qualifying patients are given new hope through clinical trials that also help to build the future of treatment across the globe. “Our studies range from trials using a novel ultrasound device to destroy tumors without any incisions to therapies and surgeries for patients with metastatic disease,” Singer says. “We also study novel combinations of drugs, including immunotherapy, for patients whose tumors have progressed after initial therapies.” Singer’s team also specializes in adjuvant therapies, which utilize medications to reduce the chances of kidney cancer recurrence after surgery. “Our experts have been among the leading contributors to some of the pivotal trials in this space,” Singer says. “We're excited to continue to open new generations of adjuvant clinical trials for kidney cancer here at The James.” Another trial underway at the OSUCCC – James focuses on histotripsy, which uses ultrasound tech to destroy tumor cells without the need for any incisions. “We're one of 15 sites in the country selected to participate in this innovative study,” Singer says. “All of these advances are thanks to our amazing patients and their caregivers who have volunteered to participate in clinical trials over the past several decades.” Click here to learn more about cancer clinical trials at the OSUCCC – James. Why comprehensive kidney cancer care matters As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the OSUCCC – James combines care and research in the same facilities. That allows Singer and his team to provide kidney cancer patients and their families with a wide array of treatments and support services. “One of the key things after a kidney cancer diagnosis is to consider treatment at a high-volume Comprehensive Cancer Center like The James,” Singer says. “Our kidney cancer team is made up of urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and radiologists. “Together, we're able to form personalized treatment plans to provide timely, compassionate care for small renal masses, locally-advanced diseases, metastatic kidney cancer, and even patients whose cancer has progressed or gotten worse after being on systemic therapies.” Click here to learn more about comprehensive cancer care at The Ohio State University.