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In 2019, 36.2% of patients diagnosed with localized/regional kidney cancer received a partial nephrectomy.
Background
Kidney cancer, also called renal cell cancer, is one of the ten most common cancers in both men and women. Treatment options may include surgery (open or laparoscopic), local therapies such as ablation and embolization, active surveillance, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments might be used alone or in combination, depending on various factors.
Surgery is the main treatment for most types of kidney cancer. Since 2000, the use of complete nephrectomy (removal of the whole kidney) in patients with localized kidney cancer or cancer in the immediate surrounding tissue (regional kidney cancer) has decreased, while the rate of partial nephrectomy (removal of only the affected part of the kidney) has increased. Partial nephrectomy is now the preferred treatment for patients with early stage kidney cancer, but there are patients with early stage disease for whom partial nephrectomy may not be possible. Studies have shown the long-term results of partial nephrectomy and complete nephrectomy are about the same. Also, partial nephrectomy may prevent serious side effects like chronic kidney disease.
Measure
Partial nephrectomy or complete nephrectomy in patients with localized/regional kidney cancer.
Receipt of systemic therapy among patients with kidney cancer.
Healthy People 2030 Target
- There are no Healthy People 2030 targets for cancer treatment, including kidney cancer treatment.
Healthy People 2030 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Data Source
Nephrectomy estimates: SEER 17 Registries, National Cancer Institute, 2004–2019.
Systemic therapy estimates: SEER Patterns of Care/Quality of Care Studies, National Cancer Institute, 2004-2019.
Trends and Most Recent Estimates
Nephrectomy
All Races/Ethnicities, Ages 20+
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
36.2 | 35.7 - 36.6 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
44.0 | 43.5 - 44.4 | |
All Races/Ethnicities, Ages 20-64
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
45.0 | 44.3 - 45.7 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
45.7 | 45.1 - 46.4 | |
All Races/Ethnicities, Ages 65 and Older
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
31.7 | 31.4 - 32.0 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
43.1 | 42.7 - 43.4 | |
Non-Hispanic White, Ages 20+
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
38.0 | 37.6 - 38.3 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
43.0 | 42.7 - 43.4 | |
Non-Hispanic Black, Ages 20+
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
33.8 | 33.6 - 33.9 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
42.1 | 42.0 - 42.3 | |
Hispanic, Ages 20+
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
31.5 | 31.3 - 31.7 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
47.3 | 47.1 - 47.5 | |
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander, Ages 20+
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Partial nephrectomy
|
36.6 | 36.5 - 36.7 |
Complete nephrectomy
|
46.6 | 46.5 - 46.7 | |
Systemic Therapy
By Age at Diagnosis
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Ages
|
24.5 | 22.2 - 27.0 |
Ages 20-64
|
24.3 | 21.4 - 27.5 | |
Ages 65+
|
24.7 | 21.1 - 28.7 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
All Races/Ethnicities
|
24.5 | 22.2 - 27.0 |
Non-Hispanic White
|
29.1 | 25.8 - 32.6 | |
Non-Hispanic Black
|
9.9 | 6.8 - 14.3 | |
Hispanic
|
16.9 | 13.7 - 20.7 | |
Asian/Pacific Islander
|
24.3 | 18.5 - 31.2 | |
American Indian/Alaska Native
|
8.8 | 4.3 - 17.0 | |
By Stage at Diagnosis
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of patients | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Localized
|
2.1 | 1.1 - 3.8 |
Regional
|
17.3 | 12.7 - 23.0 | |
Distant
|
61.1 | 56.6 - 65.3 | |
Additional Information on Kidney Cancer Treatment
- Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)-Patient Version. National Cancer Institute.
- Kidney Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society.
- Kidney Cancer (NCCN Guidelines for Patients®). National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
- Advances in Kidney Cancer Research. National Cancer Institute.
- Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)-Health Professional Version. National Cancer Institute.
- SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- SEER-Medicare Linked Database. National Cancer Institute.
- SEER Patterns of Care/Quality of Care Studies. National Cancer Institute.