Nephrectomy has become an integral part of the management of patients with metastatic kidney cancer. In the past, nephrectomy was performed in this setting only in certain circumstances – mostly to relieve pain or as a response to intractable bleeding. But indications that some patients had spontaneous regression of their metastatic disease following nephrectomy, and the fact that the primary tumor rarely, if ever, responded to systemic therapy, prompted more widespread integration of nephrectomy into the management of patients with metastatic disease.
Performing nephrectomy in patients with advanced kidney cancer is not without risk, however. The very real chance of significant metastatic disease progression during the postoperative period or complication before or during surgery that may prolong postoperative recovery could potentially delay or prevent the administration of systemic therapy in the postoperative period. Patient selection for surgery remains critical for success. Patients should be good candidates for surgery, and have a relatively small tumor that can be impacted significantly by surgery. Patients with complicating factors, including extensive metastases to the liver, brain, or bones, may not be good candidates for surgery because of their poor overall prognosis.
Telephone Information Service
Our telephone information service (Nurse Hotline) may be accessed directly by calling +1 503 215 7921. The nurses can answer most questions about the treatment of kidney cancer, including the management of side effects from therapies for advanced disease. They can also provide referrals to expert physicians in the
Lyn Glenn, MN, FNP, AOCN
Manager/Nurse Practitioner
Roxanne Payne, FNP, AOCN
Nurse Coordinator
Sarah Linehan, RN, OCN
Brendan Curti, MD
Medical Director, Biotherapy Program and Genitourinary Research Program
Providence Cancer Center
Biotherapy Program
4805 N.E. Glisan
Portland, OR 97213
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