How to Choose a Treatment for Kidney Cancer

Introduction

If you've been diagnosed with kidney cancer, or malignant tumors within the kidney, there's plenty of good news to report. Recent advances have developed multiple forms of treatment for kidney cancer. Which treatment you choose depends on a large list of factors, including your age, the stage of the cancer, other health issues and your own personal preferences.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Learn About Your Kidney Cancer Treatment Options

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection
• Oncologist

Steps

1

Step One

Educate yourself on all of your options. The most common treatment for kidney cancer is surgery, which also takes many forms, from removing the entire organ to blocking the arteries leading to the kidneys.

2

Step Two

Find out about non-surgical treatment forms, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and biologic therapy. These treatments can also be used in conjunction with surgery, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

3

Step Three

Ask about hormone therapy, a pain-free treatment that has proven effective in some kidney cancer patients and has little to no side effects.

4

Step Four

Choose the right pain control method. Kidney cancer can be a painful process, and it's important to help monitor the effects so you can stay strong and focused.

Select the Right Kidney Cancer Treatment

Steps

1

Step One

Consider all of your individual factors before selecting a treatment.

2

Step Two

Talk about your options with your family and trusted friends--don't feel rushed to immediately make a decision.

3

Step Three

Find out what stage your cancer is in and ask to speak with other patients who have undergone different treatments.

4

Step Four

Set yourself up for success. Choose to stop smoking and drinking, and dedicate yourself to eating well to help support your body through this process.

5

Step Five

Take advantage of the American Cancer Society's NexProfiler Treatment Option Tool for Kidney Cancer (see Resources below). This free, interactive tool can inform you about the latest treatments and side effects and tailor them to your specific situation.