Building a Care Team

Choosing a doctor can feel overwhelming, but this is especially true for patients with kidney cancer, which is considered one of the more “rare” cancers.

Finding a comprehensive cancer center

SPOREs (Specialized Centers of Excellence)

The SPOREs (Specialized Centers of Excellence) in kidney cancer foster collaborations among experts in renal cancer generating new resources and research opportunities for the scientific community.  These centers offer a full team of specialists with expertise in management of kidney cancer. Patients who live a distance from either of these centers often choose a SPORE.

NCI-Designated Cancer Centers

Ideally you will find doctors who specialize in kidney cancer. NCI-Designated Cancer Centers deliver cutting-edge cancer treatments to patients in communities across the United States and are a good choice for your care center if the distance to one is manageable.

Do I need a second opinion?

Kidney Cancer is considered relatively uncommon,  so a second opinion at a major cancer center on your choice of treatment may help you feel more confident about the treatment plan.  A second opinion is especially important to consider if you have a rare subtype of kidney cancer. Visit this cancer.net page for further information.

Here’s a lead oncologist from an NCI cancer center explaining the importance and the process for getting a second opinion:

Doctors who specialize in kidney cancer

Oncologic surgeons and medical oncologists

Your first appointment (also called a consult) will usually be with a urologist trained to treat cancer with surgery. This physician may also be referred to as a urologic oncologist. Many patients will also see a medical oncologist, a physician trained to treat kidney cancer with medications.

Questions for my doctors

Writing questions down before your appointment is a good way to prepare and feel more in control. The list of questions in your lap is a good signal to the doctor to give you time for questions toward the end of your consultation.

This reference from Cancer.net will help you make a list of questions for your visit. It is also a good idea to have someone attend these initial treatment related appointments with you if possible. They can take notes and provide another set of ears, since there will be a lot of information to be understood and processed.

This video from healthination.com has some useful information.

Click the image to download this comprehensive resource book from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for clear and comprehensive information about many aspects of kidney cancer, from basic concept to treatment guides.

Connect with Our Communities

There are multiple support groups serving the kidney cancer community.  SmartPatients.com is a patient forum and a KidneyCAN partner. We recommend this as a private, moderated  place to talk with other patients.  Your cancer center may also have their own support groups.

Reliable  Resources for Cancer Information
The internet is vast, and looking online for medical information or resources can be overwhelming. Here are some trustworthy sites to find information on kidney cancer.
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
www.cancer.gov
From the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO)
CANCER.NET
www.cancer.net
NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK
Guidelines for Patients with Kidney Cancer
www.nccn.org
NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK
Pautas para Pacientes con Cáncer de Riñón (Español)
www.nccn.org
INTERNATIONAL KIDNEY CANCER COALITION
www.ikcc.org
CANCER AND CAREERS
Strategies for Coping with Cancer in the Workplace
www.cancerandcareers.org

This helpful widget from the National Cancer Institute can help you with medical vocabulary:

Join Our Grassroots Army

We know that awareness of kidney cancer and its impact on many lives leads to a sense of urgency, a desire for solutions. Awareness leads to advocacy, and advocacy — joining to speak as one voice — leads to funding and research. That’s how we get to cures.

Standing tall in front of the Capitol Building, Kathleen champions the fight against #kidneycancer, inspired by the memory of her husband, Ken Moore, who passed in July 2021. 

With the unwavering support of her children, Allison and Eric, Kathleen joins KidneyCAN today in urging Congress for:

✅ A $60 million appropriation for the #KCRP for FY24.
✅ $50.9 billion for the NIH, including a $9.988 billion appropriation for the NCI.
✅ Long-term #telehealth legislation.
✅ Sustainable funding for medical #research and ensuring the #patientvoice is central in legislative policy, especially in promoting diverse #clinicaltrial enrollment.

Together, we believe in a future with early detection, less toxic treatments, and ultimately, cures for kidney cancer.

#AdvocacyDays #KidneyCAN #AcceleratingCures #OneVoiceAgainstCancer

Standing tall in front of the Capitol Building, Kathleen champions the fight against #kidneycancer, inspired by the memory of her husband, Ken Moore, who passed in July 2021.

With the unwavering support of her children, Allison and Eric, Kathleen joins KidneyCAN today in urging Congress for:

✅ A $60 million appropriation for the #KCRP for FY24.
✅ $50.9 billion for the NIH, including a $9.988 billion appropriation for the NCI.
✅ Long-term #telehealth legislation.
✅ Sustainable funding for medical #research and ensuring the #patientvoice is central in legislative policy, especially in promoting diverse #clinicaltrial enrollment.

Together, we believe in a future with early detection, less toxic treatments, and ultimately, cures for kidney cancer.

#AdvocacyDays #KidneyCAN #AcceleratingCures #OneVoiceAgainstCancer
...

19 0
We’re off to our first #AdvocacyDays meetings on Capitol Hill! 

Today we ask Congress to fund #kidneycancer research through the CDMRP and National Institutes of Health. 

With 40 people per day losing their lives to this terrible disease, our mission is urgent.

#AcceleratingCures

We’re off to our first #AdvocacyDays meetings on Capitol Hill!

Today we ask Congress to fund #kidneycancer research through the CDMRP and National Institutes of Health.

With 40 people per day losing their lives to this terrible disease, our mission is urgent.

#AcceleratingCures
...

20 0
🎉 Milestone Alert! The #PACTAct has reached the $1 MILLION mark for claims filed!

This legislation has been instrumental in supporting #kidneycancer patients and many others. At KidneyCAN, we're proud to have advocated for such transformative legislation and ensured veterans know the benefits available to them. 

Learn more about this achievement here: https://bit.ly/PACTAct1M

#PACTAct #KidneyCANAdvocacy #SupportOurVeterans

🎉 Milestone Alert! The #PACTAct has reached the $1 MILLION mark for claims filed!

This legislation has been instrumental in supporting #kidneycancer patients and many others. At KidneyCAN, we`re proud to have advocated for such transformative legislation and ensured veterans know the benefits available to them.

Learn more about this achievement here: https://bit.ly/PACTAct1M

#PACTAct #KidneyCANAdvocacy #SupportOurVeterans
...

13 1
In the heart of Washington D.C., as the Rally for Medical Research unfolds, we take a moment to honor the brave souls we’ve lost to kidney cancer. 

Each name on this sign, held by KidneyCAN President Bryan Lewis, is more than a memory—it’s a legacy. 

Many of these patients participated in clinical trials and advocated tirelessly for research funding. Their courage and commitment have paved the path for future advancements in kidney cancer research. 

They were not just patients; they were pioneers, champions for change, ensuring brighter prospects for those who follow in their footsteps. 

Today, we rally in their memory, inspired by their dedication. Their spirit drives our mission forward. 🧡💚

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH

In the heart of Washington D.C., as the Rally for Medical Research unfolds, we take a moment to honor the brave souls we’ve lost to kidney cancer.

Each name on this sign, held by KidneyCAN President Bryan Lewis, is more than a memory—it’s a legacy.

Many of these patients participated in clinical trials and advocated tirelessly for research funding. Their courage and commitment have paved the path for future advancements in kidney cancer research.

They were not just patients; they were pioneers, champions for change, ensuring brighter prospects for those who follow in their footsteps.

Today, we rally in their memory, inspired by their dedication. Their spirit drives our mission forward. 🧡💚

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH
...

17 0
The power of unity! Today, we’re rallying with organizations from across the country to emphasize the importance of investing in the NIH. 

Together, we can drive change, inspire hope, and save lives. Be part of the movement. 🌟 

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH
#AcceleratingCures

The power of unity! Today, we’re rallying with organizations from across the country to emphasize the importance of investing in the NIH.

Together, we can drive change, inspire hope, and save lives. Be part of the movement. 🌟

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH
#AcceleratingCures
...

12 0
We're proud to be in Washington D.C. today and tomorrow, standing alongside advocates from across the country at the 2023 Rally for Medical Research. 

Our mission? To emphasize the importance of NIH funding and champion kidney cancer research. 

Join us in raising our voices for MORE PROGRESS, MORE HOPE, and MORE LIVES SAVED. 

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH

We`re proud to be in Washington D.C. today and tomorrow, standing alongside advocates from across the country at the 2023 Rally for Medical Research.

Our mission? To emphasize the importance of NIH funding and champion kidney cancer research.

Join us in raising our voices for MORE PROGRESS, MORE HOPE, and MORE LIVES SAVED.

#RallyMedRes #FundNIH
...

4 0

WHO WE ARE →

WHAT WE DO →

OUR STORIES →

THE KIDNEY CANCER COMMUNITY →

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS →

DONATE →

CONTACT →

Latest News

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

For this Community Spotlight feature, we spoke to Dr. Yousef Zakharia, a medical oncologist at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Zakharia shares important information about finding the best care at NCI-designated centers, as well as his...

FALL ADVOCACY DAYS 2023 →

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY →

RAISING AWARENESS →

BE AN ADVOCATE →

DONATE NOW →

CONTACT →

Latest News

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

For this Community Spotlight feature, we spoke to Dr. Yousef Zakharia, a medical oncologist at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Zakharia shares important information about finding the best care at NCI-designated centers, as well as his...

Patient Resource Center

UNDERSTANDING YOUR KIDNEY CANCER DIAGNOSIS

BUILDING YOUR CARE TEAM

TREATMENT & TRIAL OPTIONS

LIVING WELL WITH KIDNEY CANCER

CLINICAL TRIALS →

IMMUNOTHERAPY →

OPTIMIZING YOUR KIDNEY HEALTH →

KCRS: KIDNEY CANCER RESEARCH SUMMIT →

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES →

NEWS →

Latest News

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

Dr. Yousef Zakharia: “I Believe in Teamwork”

For this Community Spotlight feature, we spoke to Dr. Yousef Zakharia, a medical oncologist at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Zakharia shares important information about finding the best care at NCI-designated centers, as well as his...

SUPPORT OUR WORK →

ROCK THE RUN 2023 →

FUNDRAISE FOR KIDNEYCAN →

DONATE →

CONTACT →

Latest News

Chuck Stravin: “With Time Comes Hope”

Chuck Stravin: “With Time Comes Hope”

Chuck Stravin is married to his high school sweetheart, Liz, and lives in Quincy, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. Diagnosed with advanced renal cancer in 2015, Chuck is beating the odds and has become a passionate advocate for kidney cancer research funding.   For this month's Community...