Renal cell carcinoma

Several renal cell carcinoma (RCC) prognostic factors show promise, includi ng K1-67, p53/mdm-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor. The combinatio n of increased incidence of RCC and diagnosis during earlier stages has gen erated interest in local therapeutic options. Nephron-sparing surgery and l aparoscopic nephrectomy continue to gain support and may become the standar d of care in select patients. Standard therapy for metastatic disease conti nues to be cytokine-based therapy with little benefit gained from adding gr anulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, retinoic acid, or adoptive immunotherapy. The addition of chemotherapy, such as capecitabine, floxurid ine, and vinblastine, may increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy; nonm yeloablative stem cell transplantation has shown early promise in metastati c disease. Curr Opin Oncol 2001. 13:199-203 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Inc.