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
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
Join Us!
Today, KidneyCAN is working with One Voice Against Cancer to advocate for #cancer research funding. Here we are with Senator Toomey's office (PA), along with Senator Warnock's office (GA). Thank you to Livestrong and other organizations lifting their voices today!
We urge Congress to support $49 billion in #funding for the NIH and $7.766 billion for the NCI.
Let’s save lives through #CancerResearch!
#CancerVoice22
It's not too late to join us for the next Town Hall event in our series! Learn about shared decision-making and your immunotherapy choices from leading oncologists.
Register now: https://bit.ly/ImmunotherapyTownHall
#kidneycan #immunotherapy #townhall #livingwithcancer #cancerlife #kidneycancer #patienteducation
It's not too late to register for our next Town Hall event! Learn about immunotherapy choices for #kidneycancer treatment from leading oncologists. We'll have Dr. Naomi Haas from Penn Medicine, Dr. Hans Hammers from UTSW, and Dr. Monty Pal from City of Hope.
📅 Tues, April 26
🕔 5:00 PM EDT
💻 Free Webinar via Zoom
Register now! https://bit.ly/ImmunotherapyTownHall
#kidneycan #livingwithcancer #cancerlife #patienteducation #empoweredpatient #shareddecisionmaking
Reminder! Our next patient education town hall will explore immunotherapy options for #kidneycancer patients.
📅 April 26th
🕔 5:00 pm ET
💻 via Zoom webinar
Register here: https://bit.ly/ImmunotherapyTownHall
Featuring Drs. Naomi Haas of UPenn, Hans Hammers of UTSW, and Monty Pal of City of Hope. Join us to hear this panel of leading expert oncologists discuss how they share the immunotherapy decision-making process with their patients.
Researchers! KidneyCAN is accepting abstracts for the 2022 Kidney Cancer Research Summit on October 6-7 in Philadelphia, PA.
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible meeting for #kidneycancer specialists.
Abstract submission guidelines and full details here: http://bit.ly/KCRS22Abstracts
#kidneycancerresearch #cancerresearch #kcsm
Another educational opportunity for #KidneyCancer patients!
Learn from some of the nation's top doctors at Yale Cancer Center. Tomorrow night (Thursday) at 7:00 PM ET.
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1uI0atogTR2VKcFC_W78Fg
Hear the latest in kidney cancer care, emerging therapies and general wellness from Dr. Thomas Hutson DO, Pharm.D., FACP of Texas Oncology and a panel of experts at @curetoday's Educated Patient® Kidney Cancer Summit on Saturday, April 9th .
Connect with the kidney cancer community and empower your own journey!
Learn more and reserve your virtual seat:
http://ow.ly/weVJ50Ivtjy
#educatedpatient #kidneycancer
We continue to honor the caregivers in our community during #KidneyCancerAwareness month. Tracy shares her insightful perspective along with the decisions she and her wife Julie had to make when facing a diagnosis.
Read more:
https://kidneycan.org/tracys-story-a-caregivers-perspective/
#kidneycancer #caregiving #cancerlife #livingwithcancer #caregiving #KCAM
Ralph Knapp, your community loves and remembers you.
Thank you all for your messages of support.
🧡💚✨
With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Ralph Knapp, a founder of KidneyCAN and leader of our mission to accelerate cures for kidney cancer.
Ralph was diagnosed in 2014 with stage IV kidney cancer and used the opportunity to increase research funding and bring hope to patients everywhere. Ralph brought a unique energy and entrepreneurial acumen to kidney cancer advocacy, and despite his health challenges, was never without a smile and a hug for everyone. He was a model of faith and optimism, and our team will miss him enormously.
We are committed to carrying Ralph's mission forward and will share more in the days to come.
