Kidney Cancer

People turn to the team at UMass Memorial Medical Center because we deliver exceptional services with a focus on quality of life. Our program is home to some of the region’s only urologists with advanced fellowship training. You also have access to medical oncologists and other experts with a special interest in kidney cancer. We all work together to help you achieve the best possible results.

Types of Kidney Cancer We Treat

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common form of kidney cancer. Our team also delivers evidence-based care for:  

• Collecting duct cancer, which starts in the kidney and spreads to other body areas
• Renal medullary cancer, a fast-growing cancer that forms in the inner kidney
• Sarcomatoid renal cell cancer, a rare group of cancers that are more likely to spread
• Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer, which affects the kidney’s connection to the bladder
• Wilms tumor

Our Renal Cell Carcinoma and Kidney Cancer Services

UMass Memorial Medical Center has all the kidney cancer services you need. Whether it’s early-stage cancer or advanced disease, you have access to multiple options for healing. Our services include:

Cancer Genetics

Some kidney cancers are passed down in families through gene changes (mutations). Our cancer genetic testing and counseling services detect mutations related to kidney cancer development. This information enables you to receive appropriate care for your diagnosis.

Immunotherapy

This treatment trains your immune system to detect and fight kidney cancer cells. Some people may benefit from multiple types of immunotherapy or immunotherapy plus other cancer drugs (combination therapy). We offer all the latest options and participate in national and international clinical research trials that may give you access to additional therapies.

Robotic Surgery

UMass Memorial Health is one of the few programs in the region using robotic urologic surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma and other kidney cancers. Specially trained genitourinary oncologists remove cancerous growths through small incisions and with the utmost precision. They also repair delicate structures to optimize kidney function after treatment. 

Nephron-Sparing Surgery (Partial Nephrectomy)

We use sophisticated techniques to remove kidney tumors while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Partial nephrectomy may be right for you if you have a small tumor that has not spread to nearby tissue. This treatment removes cancer while lowering the risk of kidney failure. 

Nonsurgical Procedures

We offer minimally invasive procedures that use cold gas to freeze and destroy small kidney tumors. This method may help you avoid surgery to remove kidney tissue. Vascular interventional radiologists carry out these treatments using, long thin tubes with instruments at the tip. 

Radiation Therapy

Our nationally recognized program uses radiation therapy techniques that deliver precise treatments, preserving healthy tissue and kidney function. Treatments, which include stereotactic body radiation, may help you avoid surgery.