Kidney Cancer
If you have kidney cancer, the Virtua team provides pioneering care right here in South Jersey.
Your kidneys help keep you healthy by removing waste and extra water from your blood. If you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, the Virtua team offers the most advanced care for your condition.
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer may not produce symptoms until it has reached a more advanced stage. Signs of kidney cancer may include:
- Blood in your urine
- A lump in your kidney area
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue, and a sense of not feeling well
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Low-grade fever
- Bone pain
- Higher blood pressure
- Anemia
- High calcium levels
Types of Kidney Cancer
The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (also known as renal cell adenocarcinoma). Renal cell carcinoma forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter blood and remove waste. It usually develops as a single tumor in one kidney, but can affect both kidneys. Types of renal cell carcinoma include clear-cell, papillary, and chromophobe.
Other types of kidney cancer include:
- Renal sarcoma: This form of cancer begins in the connective tissues of your kidneys, and can spread to nearby organs and bones.
- Wilms tumor: The most common kidney cancer in children, this type of kidney cancer is treated differently than adult kidney cancer.
Diagnosing Kidney Cancer
Tests your health care provider may recommend to diagnose if you have kidney cancer include:
- A urine test (urinalysis) looking for the presence of blood
- Blood tests, including a measure of your kidney function
- Imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound
- Biopsy of your renal mass
Kidney Cancer Treatment
Based on the stage of your cancer, your age, and other health factors, your Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program team will recommend treatments that are tailored to your precise needs.
Kidney cancer may be treated with:
- Surgery, including partial nephrectomy (removing part of your kidney that contains the tumor) and radical nephrectomy (complete removal of your kidney and surrounding tissue). Our surgeons are skilled in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapies
- Ablation, including cryoablation (freezing the cancer cells) and radiofrequency ablation (destroying cancer cells with an electrical current)
- Radiation therapy, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and proton therapy
- Chemotherapy
The Virtua Difference for Cancer Care
An integrated team focused on you
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer requires a coordinated team of experts to collaborate on all aspects of patient care. The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program team includes Penn Medicine and Virtua physicians working together in New Jersey to provide individualized, state-of-the-art treatment and personalized care. Your case is reviewed by a team of oncology doctors, nurses, and other specialists. Working together, they develop a comprehensive plan to treat YOU, not just your cancer.
An integrated team focused on you
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer requires a coordinated team of experts to collaborate on all aspects of patient care. The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program team includes Penn Medicine and Virtua physicians working together in New Jersey to provide individualized, state-of-the-art treatment and personalized care. Your case is reviewed by a team of oncology doctors, nurses, and other specialists. Working together, they develop a comprehensive plan to treat YOU, not just your cancer.
Care for the whole person
Cancer affects all aspects of your life. That’s why we take a big-picture approach to your care. At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, your care plan includes more than medical or surgical treatments. You also have access to cancer support services like counseling, pain management, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and specialized care for your sexual well-being. This holistic approach led to our accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Care for the whole person
Cancer affects all aspects of your life. That’s why we take a big-picture approach to your care. At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, your care plan includes more than medical or surgical treatments. You also have access to cancer support services like counseling, pain management, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and specialized care for your sexual well-being. This holistic approach led to our accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Cancer clinical trials
Clinical trials help find new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. Most cancer trials are studies that test new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. When you participate in a trial at the Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program, you may have access to a promising new therapy before it’s widely available. You’re also helping improve cancer care for others in the future. Cancer clinical trials are helping people live longer and better-quality lives.
Cancer clinical trials
Clinical trials help find new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. Most cancer trials are studies that test new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. When you participate in a trial at the Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program, you may have access to a promising new therapy before it’s widely available. You’re also helping improve cancer care for others in the future. Cancer clinical trials are helping people live longer and better-quality lives.
The most advanced care, here in South Jersey
At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center, you have access to the most advanced type of radiation therapy available. Compared with other therapies, proton therapy produces fewer side effects, so you feel better and recover faster from treatment.
The most advanced care, here in South Jersey
At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center, you have access to the most advanced type of radiation therapy available. Compared with other therapies, proton therapy produces fewer side effects, so you feel better and recover faster from treatment.
Virtua Specialty Pharmacy
If you need a specialty medication as part of your cancer care, we can take care of your needs from start to finish. We work closely with your care team, your insurance provider, and anyone else involved with getting you the medications you need, when you need it – with free delivery straight to your door.
Virtua Specialty Pharmacy
If you need a specialty medication as part of your cancer care, we can take care of your needs from start to finish. We work closely with your care team, your insurance provider, and anyone else involved with getting you the medications you need, when you need it – with free delivery straight to your door.
Virtua Cancer Care Locations
With offices conveniently located in Moorestown, Voorhees, and Washington Township, there’s no need to travel across the bridge for your cancer care.