Simple nephrectomy removes the whole kidney. Radical nephrectomy removes the kidney with the tissues around it. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Biological therapy tries to get the body to fight cancer.
It uses materials made by the body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against disease. Sometimes a special treatment called arterial embolization is used to treat renal cell cancer. This prevents the cancer cells from getting oxygen or other substances they need to grow. Treatment by stage Treatment of renal cell cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered.