At 80, Gene had a lot to live for. A wife. Five daughters. Six grandchildren. Time to spend in his woodworking shop. Then a kidney cancer diagnosis changed everything.
About kidney cancer
Your kidneys have many tiny filtering units that clean your blood and create urine. Kidney cancer happens when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the tubes.
You may not experience symptoms at first. But as the cancer grows, you may notice:
- Blood in your urine
- A lump near your lower back
- Unexpected fever or weight loss
- Pain that does not go away
Kidney cancer care at Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute
Highlights of our program include:
Access to clinical trials
We offer promising new care options, including immunotherapy, through clinical trials. This treatment “trains” your body to recognize and remove cancer cells. Find out more about cancer research and clinical trials.
National recognition
Our commitment to safety has helped our cancer center earn the seal of accreditation from the American College of Radiology® (ACR). Accreditation means you can trust us for safe, effective care.
Precise care
Your care may include surgery using robotic technologies. This technique spares healthy tissue while successfully getting rid of the cancer. Get more information about robotic surgery.
Treatments for kidney cancer
We get to know your medical needs and personal preferences. We then hold meetings called tumor boards to help you get the best possible care.
During tumor boards, doctors, including urologists and radiation oncologists, meet to plan the best treatments for your individual needs. Learn more about our tumor boards. Your care may include:
Radiation therapy
This treatment uses beams of energy to break up cancer cells. We offer all the latest radiation therapy technologies, including the Varian TrueBeam® Radiotherapy System, which delivers treatments with a high degree of accuracy. Find out more about radiation therapy.
Cancer drugs (chemotherapy/immunotherapy)
These drugs slow or stop cancer cells from growing. You receive care from nurses who completed training and hold certification in meeting the unique needs of people receiving chemotherapy.
Surgery
We offer all the latest surgical options, including procedures to remove the cancer and repair healthy tissue affected by cancer treatment. Read more about cancer surgery.
Additional care and services
We offer a broad range of services to help you stay healthy during treatment and return to everyday activities as quickly as possible. Read more about cancer rehabilitation.
