Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma comprises a large, heterogeneous group of tumors. Although clear cell renal cancer is the most common subtype, 20-25 % of renal malignancies are of variant histology. Papillary renal cell carcinoma represents the most common non-clear cell histology, with unclassified, chromophobe, collecting duct, and renal medullary carcinoma making up the majority of the remainder. With the exception of collecting duct and renal medullary carcinoma, non-clear cell renal cancers tend to be resistant to chemotherapy. All non-clear cell subtypes are resistant to immunotherapy. Their limited representation in large phase III randomized trials lends to uncertainty regarding the benefit of targeted therapy in this group. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have made a large impact in the management of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, their use in non-clear cell histologies is controversial. As we learn more about these tumor types, new subtypes of non-clear cell kidney cancer and new genetic abnormalities are being discovered. Hopefully, this improved understanding will lead to better treatments in the future for our patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Renal Cancer |
Subtitle of host publication | Contemporary Management |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 373-385 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781461472360 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781461472353 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2013 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine