Kidney cancer
Types of treatment Save this page
Treatments for kidney cancer can include:
- active surveillance
- surgery including focal therapy (radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, irreversible electrporation)
- radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- targeted therapy
- immunotherapy.
Most people with kidney cancer have one or more of these treatments. Not all treatments are suitable for every person or every type of kidney cancer.
Choose the option that best suits your situation
Not all kidney cancers need to be treated immediately.
The type of surgery you have depends on your cancer.
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation.
Hormonal therapy uses drugs to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that affect specific cells in some cancers.
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Chemotherapy, also known as chemo, is a way of treating cancer using drugs.
Palliative care deals with managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
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It is important to ask about costs before you start your treatment.