Departments and specialties

Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.

Research

As an international leader in kidney cancer research, Mayo Clinic researchers follow up on clinical outcomes and conduct research on all stages of kidney disease to improve surgical techniques and the treatment of advanced disease with novel drug therapies. People undergoing cancer care at Mayo Clinic may have a chance to enroll in clinical trials to try the latest treatment innovations.

Benefits of surgery for late-stage cancer

Mayo Clinic researchers found that surgery significantly increased life expectancy for many people with late-stage kidney cancer. People with renal cell carcinoma who had surgery to completely remove secondary tumor growth, called metastases, had significantly improved survival compared with those who didn't have the surgery. This research confirms the importance of complete removal of the metastases, when possible, to prolong life.

Other Mayo Clinic research is examining the interaction of surgery and medicines to determine if the combination increases survival even more in people with late-stage kidney cancer whose cancer has spread.

Mayo Clinic research resources

Kidney cancer research is conducted in coordination with Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center receives funding from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center. This designation recognizes the institution's scientific excellence and multidisciplinary resources focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The Mayo Clinic Biobank database provides samples for studies on kidney cancer and other diseases. The David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program studies the mechanisms involved in cancer development and how the immune system responds to cancer. The program also develops and tests immunotherapies for cancer.

Publications

See a list of publications about kidney cancer by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.