RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 59 - 70
• Main Authors: Downs, Tracy M., Schultzel, Matthew, Shi, Helen, Sanders, Catherine, Tahir, Zunera, Sadler, Georgia Robins
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06.11.2008
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2008.08.006

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma is the most effective treatment for patients with localized disease. In patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, immune modulation-based therapies are typically used to improve cancer specific survival via anti-angiogenic drugs. Similar to most cancers, tumor grade and stage are linked to the tumor’s biologic potential. Integrating these factors with patients’ performance status can help predict their long-term disease-free survival, the likelihood of tumor recurrence, and the median time to failure following surgery and immunotherapy. A novel integrated staging system and a postoperative renal cell carcinoma specific nomogram, along with standardized quality of life assessments have been shown to be useful clinical tools to aid in patient counseling, determining optimal follow-up imaging protocols, and identifying patients who might benefit from early enrollment in adjuvant therapy protocols. This article offers clinicians a review and summary of the most recent evidence-based research related to risk assessment among patients with newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma.