Kidney cancer usually occurs in people ages 50 to 70 years old, and its cause is unknown. Sometimes involving both kidneys, kidney cancer spreads easily — most often to the lungs and other organs. In fact, about one-third of patients diagnosed with kidney cancer have metastasized kidney cancer (kidney cancer that has spread to another part of the body). Fortunately, Norton Cancer Institute’s advanced treatment options and support services are providing hope for those battling kidney cancer.

Understanding Kidney Cancer

The most common type of kidney cancer in adults is renal cell carcinoma. This type of kidney cancer is made up of cancerous cells in the lining of very small tubes within the kidney. It is not clear what causes renal cell carcinoma, though it is more common in men than in women. In its early stages, kidney cancer rarely shows any signs or symptoms.

One of the best ways to prevent kidney cancer is to quit smoking. Smokers have a greater risk of kidney cancer than nonsmokers do, but the risk decreases after you quit. It is also important to follow your health care provider’s recommendations in the treatment of kidney disorders, especially those that may require dialysis.

Sometimes both kidneys are involved. The cancer spreads easily, most often to the lungs and other organs. About one-third of patients have spreading (metastasis) at the time of diagnosis. The following tests may be performed to determine if the cancer has spread:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Bone scan
• Chest X-ray

Why Choose Norton Cancer Institute

More patients in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Cancer Institute than any other provider in the area. We provide compassionate care for the whole person, not just the cancer.

Our Norton Cancer Institute oncologists are also researchers and principal investigators, offering patients sophisticated experience in the latest treatments and access to more than 200 clinical trials.

• Access to more than 100 specialists, including board-certified and fellowship-trained oncologists
• Multidisciplinary setting, meaning patients get the benefit of opinions from multiple specialists across Norton Healthcare and often can schedule appointments for the same day in the same location
• Immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, genetic therapies tailored to combat the unique genetic makeup of your cancer and the latest in surgical treatments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
• New, state-of-the-art Norton Cancer Institute Genomics Lab offering highly specialized testing that will make it possible to diagnose and treat cancer more precisely and to tailor advanced treatments based on a tumor’s specific genetic composition
• Prompt Care Clinics designed especially for providing symptom relief and other care to Norton Cancer Institute patients
• MyNortonChart to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a mobile device or computer

Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Joseph J Maly, MD

Hematology Oncology, Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Chandler H Park, MD

Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology

Genitourinary Radiation Oncology

Yong I Cha, MD

Genitourinary Radiation Oncology, Thoracic Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology

Brian D Stoll, MD

Genitourinary Radiation Oncology, Breast Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology