Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer ranks among the top 10 cancers in both men and women in the United States, with more than 63,000 diagnoses each year. For comprehensive assessment and treatment of kidney cancer, the team at Charleston Oncology brings years of combined experience and the most cutting-edge treatments available to patients.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KIDNEY CANCER CARE AT CHARLESTON ONCOLOGY
At Charleston Oncology, we understand that a kidney cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. That’s why our medical oncology team is here to guide you through every step of your treatment. With expertise, innovative therapies, and a patient-centered approach, we aim to empower you with clarity, confidence, and support throughout your kidney cancer journey.
CONDUCTING THE ORCHESTRA OF CARE
Your medical oncologist plays a central role in your kidney cancer treatment plan. Similar to an orchestra conductor, your oncologist ensures all specialists involved—surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and support staff—work together seamlessly.
Your oncologist serves as both a guide and an advocate, helping you understand your options and coordinating your care to provide the best possible outcomes tailored to your individual needs.
PERSONALIZED KIDNEY CANCER TREATMENT PLANS
Kidney cancer treatment is highly personalized and depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health. At Charleston Oncology, we offer a full range of treatments to meet your specific needs:
Surgery: Often the first-line treatment for kidney cancer, surgery aims to remove the tumor while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. Depending on your situation, this may include:
- Partial nephrectomy: Removal of the tumor while keeping the rest of the kidney intact.
- Radical nephrectomy: Removal of the entire kidney, sometimes including surrounding tissue or lymph nodes.
Targeted Therapies: Medications designed to attack cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissue. These treatments can slow tumor growth or reduce the risk of recurrence.
Immunotherapy: Treatments that harness your immune system to fight cancer, helping your body recognize and destroy kidney cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams may be used to target cancerous tissue, particularly in advanced cases or to relieve symptoms.
Chemotherapy: While less commonly used in kidney cancer, chemotherapy may be considered in certain advanced cases.
Clinical Trials: Charleston Oncology participates in clinical trials exploring innovative treatments for kidney cancer, including new targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING
The symptoms of kidney cancer often overlap with other conditions, such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones. If other causes are ruled out, our team uses advanced diagnostics—including CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and blood and urine tests—to uncover the root cause.
Once a tumor is confirmed, staging helps guide treatment:
- Stage I: Tumor is confined to the kidney and less than 2 ¾ inches.
- Stage II: Tumor is larger but still limited to the kidney.
- Stage III: Tumor spreads to surrounding tissue or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
TYPES OF KIDNEY CANCER
About 90% of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which may appear as a tumor in one or both kidneys. Other less common types include:
- Transitional cell carcinoma
- Wilms tumor
- Renal sarcoma
Not all kidney tumors are cancerous; benign tumors can also develop, and your care team works diligently to determine the exact nature of your condition.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND INNOVATIVE CARE
Effective kidney cancer treatment relies on collaboration. Our medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and support staff work together to provide comprehensive care addressing every aspect of your well-being—physical, emotional, and psychological.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Your treatment, your choice—it all starts with understanding your options. At Charleston Oncology, we are here to guide you through your kidney cancer journey with expertise, compassion, and support. Schedule a consultation today to explore the care and resources that make Charleston Oncology a trusted name in kidney cancer treatment.
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When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt like my whole world stopped. But from the moment I walked into Charleston Oncology, I knew I was in the right hands. The doctors explained everything clearly and made me feel like I wasn’t just another patient — I was part of their family.
Sarah T – Breast Cancer Survivor
What are the most common types of kidney cancer?
How is kidney cancer diagnosed?
The symptoms of kidney cancer are also the symptoms of many other problems, such as urinary tract infections and kidney stones. If you’re having problems with the function of your kidneys, and your doctor has ruled out other causes, the team at Charleston Oncology works diligently to uncover the root of your problem.
To do this, they first turn to diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans. They also test your blood and urine for any markers of cancer.
If they confirm the presence of a tumor, the next step is staging the cancer, which follows this progression:
- Stage I – The tumor is less than 2 ¾ inches and it’s confined to your kidney
- Stage II – The tumor is larger, but still confined to your kidney
- Stage III – The tumor affects the tissue surrounding your kidney and nearby lymph nodes
- Stage IV – The cancer spreads to distant parts of your body
Once your doctor determines the stage of your cancer, they come up with an appropriate treatment plan.
How is kidney cancer treated?
In most cases, surgery is the treatment of choice for kidney cancer in order to remove the tumor. Since you can function perfectly well with just one kidney, your surgeon may remove all, or part of, your kidney in order to fully remove the cancer.
If your kidney cancer is advanced or recurs, you may need to undergo further treatments, including:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
You can be assured that your doctor at Charleston Oncology will get you the treatment you need.
To get the best in kidney cancer care, call Charleston Oncology to schedule a consultation.
Medical Oncology and Hematology Specialists located in Downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville & Walterboro, SC.
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Voted Best In Charleston
Charleston Oncology – Best Oncology Practice
With over 100 years of combined experience, the team of hematologists and oncologists at Charleston Oncology, a department of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, is proud to be named HealthLinks Magazine’s Best Oncology Practice.
David Ellison, M.D. – Best Oncologist
Honored as Best Oncologist, Dr. David Ellison is a past recipient of the Physician Champion Award from the Roper St. Francis Foundation, founding chairman of the Lowcountry Komen for the Cure Foundation, and principal investigator for several groundbreaking cancer drug clinical trials.
