The Most Advanced Care for Kidney Cancer
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located near the back of the body on either side of the spine. They perform a vital function in the body, acting as high-grade filters for your blood. Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, occurs when the normal, healthy cells in one or both kidneys change and grow out of control, affecting kidney function.
This type of urologic cancer occurs from the overgrowth of cells forming a mass known as a renal cortical tumor, which may be one of three types:
- Benign. This type of tumor is non-cancerous. Although it may grow in size, it will not spread to other parts of the body.
- Malignant. This type of tumor is cancerous and will grow in size and spread to other parts of the body.
- Indolent. This type of tumor is cancerous but dormant and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Kidney cancer is the ninth most common form of cancer in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Patient outcomes in people who have kidney cancer may depend on staging, however, it is treatable with surgery as well as a variety of therapies including targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Learn more about kidney cancer causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Why Choose Us for Kidney Cancer Care
State-of-the-Art Kidney Cancer Treatment in New Jersey
RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, meets the highest standards in kidney cancer research, treatment, prevention and education. We offer access to the full spectrum of therapeutic procedures and advanced kidney cancer treatment options including clinical trials, radiation therapy techniques and complex surgical procedures.
New Jersey’s Largest Network of Cancer Specialists
Our integrated care model for kidney cancer treatment includes the state’s largest network of cancer specialists, working together to ensure the greatest patient outcomes. The team includes:
- Nationally and internationally recognized oncologists, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists
- Kidney cancer surgeons
- Urologists
- Advanced practice nurses and certified technicians with enhanced credentials in cancer specialty care
- Nurse navigators
- Nutrition experts
- Oncology support professionals
Oncology Nurse Navigators Guide You Through Your Kidney Cancer Journey
Our oncology nurse navigators help patients through their kidney cancer journeys, from securing initial appointments to coordinating follow-up visits related to treatments and procedures, all the way through aspects of survivorship. Oncology nurse navigators also can refer you to social workers or financial counselors for matters about health insurance, financial challenges and other challenges.
To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s best kidney cancer specialists, call 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.
Learn More About Kidney Cancer
- What causes kidney cancer? As with many other types of cancer, the exact cause of kidney cancer is unknown, however, there are some lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors known to increase your risk of developing it. Some of these factors include obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, kidney stones, Hepatitis C infections, having inherited the sickle cell trait, or being exposed to certain chemicals.
- Kidney cancer symptoms. Kidney cancer symptoms may vary from patient to patient, and some individuals may not experience symptoms until the later stages of the disease. Learn more about the signs of kidney cancer.
- Kidney cancer screening and diagnosis. Screening tests include laboratory tests such as blood and urine tests and imaging tests. While these are instrumental in making a kidney cancer diagnosis, only a biopsy can ultimately provide a positive diagnosis.
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Pediatric kidney cancer. There are several types of childhood kidney cancers including:
- Wilms’ tumor. A nephroblastoma, commonly known as a Wilms' tumor, usually results from kidney cell mutations that occur sometime after birth.
- Mesoblastic nephroma. These tumors often are detected in infants and can be removed with surgery and sometimes chemotherapy.
- Clear cell sarcoma of kidney (CCSK). Likely to spread to other parts of the body, these are rare tumors typically treated by clinical trials.
- Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney. Infants and toddlers are likely to develop these fast-spreading tumors, which are rare and difficult to cure.
- Renal cell carcinoma. This form of kidney cancer is the most common in adults, but it can also be found in children.
Learn more about pediatric oncology at RWJBarnabas Health.
- Kidney cancer treatment. The main treatment for most types of kidney cancer is surgery. Other kidney cancer treatments could include ablation, a procedure that burns or freezes the cancerous area, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy or the use of clinical trials, when appropriate.
- Kidney cancer facts. Read frequently asked questions about kidney cancer to learn how to be proactive about your kidney health, including knowing kidney cancer symptoms, recognizing the first signs of kidney cancer, getting diagnosed, and where to find support services, including support groups.
Clinical Trials: The Latest Advancements in Kidney Cancer Care—Close to Home
As a leader in cancer treatment, we provide access to cutting-edge clinical trials for cancer patients. Our kidney cancer oncologists work closely with scientists and researchers to bring you the latest therapies—all without having to travel the globe.
We are committed to providing the most forward-thinking and most promising therapies and treatments for cancer. Patients enrolled in clinical trials receive innovative treatments that are shaping the future of cancer care. For patients with metastatic disease and unresponsive cancers, clinical trials offer additional options for treatment to control the spread of disease, to eliminate cancer and improve your quality of life.
View Kidney Cancer Clinical Trials
To make an appointment with a kidney cancer specialist at RWJBarnabas Health, 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.
