Kidney Cancer Treatment at Jefferson
There are several types of kidney cancer. The most common type in adults is renal cell cancer, while the most common type in children is Wilms' tumor. As with many other types of cancer, early detection significantly improves your chances of survival.
If you or someone important to you has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, turn to the experienced team at the Jefferson Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Center at the Kimmel Cancer Center. You will have access to not only Jefferson urologists, but also to radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and integrative medicine specialists to provide a multidisciplinary approach to your treatment. The Center's progressive approach enables you to benefit from these multiple areas of expertise in a single visit.
The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center. The
NCI applies this special designation only to regional referral centers
with a high level of clinical services and participation in national
clinical trials. This special status as a national center testifies to
the work of our basic and clinical scientists and physician
researchers, who are on the forefront of advances against cancer.
Depending upon your diagnosis and the size and location of the tumor, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopic or robotic nephrectomy. Our surgeons have been pioneers in minimally invasive surgery and are fellowship trained in the newest procedures. Minimally invasive surgery can decrease your hospital stay, reduce the risk of infection, decrease pain and facilitate a faster recovery.
Additional state-of-the-art kidney cancer treatments available through the Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Center include:
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Partial Nephrectomy (Laproscopic or Robotic) – a procedure sometimes used to treat smaller renal cell cancers in which surgeons remove only the part of the kidney containing cancer
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Cryoablation – destroys small cancerous tumors in the kidney through a freezing procedure
Further, your Jefferson team can provide you and your family a support network that includes specially trained nurses, educators, social workers, fellow patients and cancer survivors. Among the wide variety of support programs offered at Jefferson is our Buddy Program, which matches cancer patients with trained volunteer cancer survivors who have been through treatment themselves. These volunteers provide one-on-one support either over the telephone or on-site in the waiting area at the Bodine Center for Radiation Therapy/Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. You can also access services to meet your emotional and psychological needs during your course of treatment through the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine.