Dr Barata on Staying Up to Date With Evolving Treatment Approaches in Kidney Cancer

Pedro Barata, MD, MSc, director, GU Medical Oncology Research Program, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, associate professor, medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the importance of staying up to date with evolving treatment approaches in kidney cancer.

Treating oncologists should stay updated with the latest research in kidney cancer management for severalreasons, Barata begins. For example, kidney cancers are not the most common types of cancer, so oncologists may only see a handful of patients with kidney cancer each year. In addition, the treatment regimens used in the management of kidney cancer, both the monotherapies and the combination approaches, are often not utilized in other disease types, Barata explains. For instance, the combination of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy is relatively unique to the kidney cancer treatment paradigm. Since the treatment of patients with kidney cancer requires specific expertise, medical oncologists should be mindful of the distinguishing features between kidney cancer and other cancers when treating patients with this disease, he adds.

Furthermore, an awareness of the changes occurring in the kidney cancer treatment landscape is vital, Barata expands. The kidney cancer management approaches from previous years are no longer applicable, he notes. The therapeutic landscape of years past differs from the kidney cancer treatment options that are available and FDA approved today, he explains.

Treating oncologists can learn about updates in the kidney cancer treatment paradigm through sources including continuing education materials, discussions with their peers, and guidelines such as those from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Barata continues. It is vital to be mindful of current kidney cancer treatment standards and remain vigilant about updates on the horizon. When oncologists are aware of the latest updates in the kidney cancer treatment paradigm, they can offer their patients the most effective regimens at a given time, he concludes.