U-M presents Aug. 12 symposium on advances in kidney cancer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last year, more than 1.3 million new cancers were diagnosed in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 of these individuals were diagnosed with kidney cancer. But there is hope: More than 200,000 kidney cancer survivors are living in the United States right now. Recent advances in diagnosis, surgical procedures and treatment options will allow even more patients to live with the disease, continuing to maintain their normal schedules and lifestyles.
“Kidney cancer is increasing in incidence, and now represents almost 4 percent of all cancers. It is also the most lethal urologic cancer. Twenty-five percent of patients with kidney cancer will die of their cancer, compared to 12 percent for prostate cancer and 21 percent for bladder cancer. Fortunately, there are exciting new treatments available, including minimally invasive surgery and better-tolerated chemotherapy, that are improving outcomes for kidney cancer patients,” states Stuart Wolf Jr., M.D., director, Minimally Invasive Urology Division, professor of urology at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The University of Michigan is presenting a symposium on the treatment options for patients and families dealing with kidney cancer. David Smith, M.D., medical director, Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office, professor of internal medicine and professor of urology at the U-M Medical School; and Wolf will review the latest and most effective treatments for kidney cancer.

Wolf, a urologist at the U-M Health System, will provide an update on the surgical treatments of kidney cancer, including open surgery, laparoscopy and “needle” ablation procedures. He will also discuss exciting research being done at U-M with a new non-invasive treatment that offers promise for the treatment of small renal tumors without any incisions. Smith, an oncologist at U-M, will outline the variety of options for systemic therapy of kidney cancer. Highlights will include new oral treatments for kidney cancer, and an overview of ongoing clinical trials and other research that aim to further advance the treatment of kidney cancer.