Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) is an integral part of the treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Improved survival has been shown with CN and IFN-α. The introduction of targeted therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma has raised important questions regarding the role of CN. The majority of patients who were enrolled in the Phase III studies of targeted therapies had undergone prior nephrectomy. Thus, the benefit of these agents has largely been demonstrated in a nephrectomized population. CARMENA and SURTIME, important Phase III studies examining the role and timing of CN, are ongoing. Until new evidence is available, CN is a reasonable approach in selected patients with a resectable primary tumor and good performance status.
Written by:
Galazi M, Rodriguez-Vida A, Josephides E, Chau NM, Chowdhury S. Are you the author?
Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
Reference: Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2014 Mar;14(3):271-7.
doi: 10.1586/14737140.2014.864240
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24392671
UroToday.com Renal Cancer Section
