What is the primary treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma?

The primary treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma often involves surgical removal or immunomodulatory therapy. In cases where the cancer is localized, nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney) can be curative. However, in patients with metastatic disease, surgery may still be indicated, particularly for removing the primary tumor or metastases that cause significant symptoms or issues.

Immunomodulatory therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have become a cornerstone of treatment in recent years. These therapies work by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells, resulting in improved outcomes for many patients with metastatic disease.

Other treatment options, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and conservative management, do not align as closely with the standard approach utilized for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Radiation can provide palliative relief but is not considered a primary treatment modality for this type of cancer. Similarly, conventional chemotherapy has had limited effectiveness in renal cell carcinoma compared to targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Conservative management might be applicable in select patients who are not candidates for aggressive treatment due to poor performance status, but it is not a primary treatment strategy. Thus, the combination of surgical procedures where feasible and immunomodulatory therapies stands as the mainstay