Christina M. Canil, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Research Fellow and Jennifer J. Knox, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Staff Medical Oncologist; Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON.

Renal cell carcinoma is more prevalent in older people. The incidence of this cancer is rising secondary to incidental detection on routine imaging. In localized disease, radical nephrectomy is standard therapy; however, options of laparoscopic procedures or surveillance may be appropriate for small tumours. Treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma is limited and the main goal of therapy is palliation of symptoms. Nephrectomy and surgical removal of metastases have been shown to improve survival in patients with good performance status. Results with chemotherapy have been disappointing, but clinical trials of novel systemic agents are underway.
Key words: renal cell carcinoma, kidney cancer, older person, nephrectomy, interferon.