Kidney Cancer

Kidney Cancer: treatments, trials & survival

Kidney cancer treatment has been revolutionized by immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Explore current treatment options and active clinical trials.

New Cases (2024)
81,610
5-Yr Survival
77.6%
Annual Deaths
14,390
Trend
Stable
See active trials

About Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer treatment has been revolutionized by immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Explore current treatment options and active clinical trials.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database, an estimated 81,610 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, with approximately 14,390 deaths. The overall 5-year relative survival rate is 77.6%.

Source: NCI SEER Data: 1975–2022

Treatment options

Current treatment approaches for kidney cancer depend on the stage at diagnosis, tumor characteristics, and the patient’s overall health. The most common options include:

1
Surgery (Nephrectomy)
2
Targeted Therapy (Sunitinib, Cabozantinib)
3
Immunotherapy (Nivolumab + Ipilimumab)
4
Ablation Therapy
5
Radiation Therapy

Treatment recommendations should always be discussed with a qualified oncologist. The options listed above are based on current clinical guidelines and may vary case by case.

Stages

Staging describes the extent of cancer in the body and is crucial for planning the most appropriate treatment:

Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV

Known risk factors

Understanding risk factors can support prevention and early detection. Known risk factors for this cancer include:

Smoking
Obesity
High blood pressure
VHL gene mutations
Chronic kidney disease
Family history

Not sure where to start?

A patient navigator familiar with kidney cancer can help you understand your options and connect you with top US hospitals. Free & confidential.

Active clinical trials

Clinical trials offer access to cutting-edge treatments not yet widely available. The trials below are sourced in real time from ClinicalTrials.gov:

Frequently asked questions

The 5-year relative survival rate for kidney cancer is 77.6%. When detected early at a localized stage, survival is over 93%.
Surgery is the primary treatment. Advanced cases benefit from immunotherapy combinations (nivolumab + ipilimumab) and targeted therapies like cabozantinib and lenvatinib.
Small tumors may be treated with ablation (cryoablation or radiofrequency). Active surveillance is an option for very small, slow-growing tumors in older patients.
Immunotherapy has become first-line treatment for advanced kidney cancer. Combinations like nivolumab + ipilimumab or pembrolizumab + axitinib show significant survival improvements.
You’re not alone

Looking for kidney cancer treatment options?

A patient navigator can help you explore treatment pathways, find clinical trials near you, and connect with specialists who see kidney cancer every day. Free, confidential consultation.

Send a message
Free callback

Talk to a navigator

Leave your details and we’ll call you at your preferred time.