An international study led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering found that pazopanib (Votrient®) controls cancer as effectively as sunitinib (Sutent®) while improving patients’ quality of life.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering urologic surgeon Pramod Sogani has been inaugurated as President of the American Urological Association. In this Q&A he discusses his goals and his new role.
A study has found that the majority of kidney cancer patients with small tumors have their entire kidney removed, which can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular complications.
Our experts have participated in or led the development of five of the seven drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with advanced kidney cancer since 2005.
Dr. Dalbagni – who cares for patients with bladder cancer, kidney cancer, penile cancer, and sarcomas – explains treatments offered at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, which can help patients maintain their quality of life.
Dr. Parra, who practices at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Basking Ridge, treats prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers with the goal of extending the lives of patients, and giving them the best possible quality of life.
Dr. Bochner – who specializes in treating people with prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers – discusses the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to delivering high-quality care.
Scientists have identified genes and biological mechanisms that one day could be targeted with drugs to stop kidney cancer from spreading to the bone, brain, or other organs.
Results of an international study indicate that the investigational drug tivozanib is more effective and better tolerated than a currently approved therapy in delaying cancer growth.
The recent FDA approval of axitinib provides a viable treatment option for patients who progress on or cannot tolerate the side effects of other approved drugs for the disease.
February 7, 2012
administration (ad-MIH-nih-STRAY-shun)
In medicine, the act of giving a treatment, such as a drug, to a patient. It can also refer to the way it is given, the dose, or how often it is given.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
axitinib (AK-sih-TIH-nib)
A drug used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of kidney cancer). It is used in patients who have not gotten better with other anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Axitinib blocks the action of proteins called growth factor receptors and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Also called Inlyta.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
biological (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul)
Pertaining to biology or to life and living things. In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products. Biologicals may be used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve of symptoms of a disease. For example, antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines are biologicals. Biological also refers to parents and children who are related by blood.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
bladder (BLA-der)
The organ that stores urine.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
cardiovascular (KAR-dee-oh-VAS-kyoo-ler)
Having to do with the heart and blood vessels.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
chronic (KRAH-nik)
A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
FDA
An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The FDA also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called Food and Drug Administration.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
investigational (in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul)
In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Also called experimental.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
kidney (KID-nee)
One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red blood cell production), and play a role in blood pressure regulation.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
kidney cancer (KID-nee KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
medical oncologist (MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist)
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
multidisciplinary (MUL-tee-DIH-sih-plih-NAYR-ee)
In medicine, a term used to describe a treatment planning approach or team that includes a number of doctors and other health care professionals who are experts in different specialties (disciplines). In cancer treatment, the primary disciplines are medical oncology (treatment with drugs), surgical oncology (treatment with surgery), and radiation oncology (treatment with radiation).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
penile cancer (PEE-nile KAN-ser)
A rare cancer that forms in the penis (an external male reproductive organ). Most penile cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the penis).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
prostate (PROS-tayt)
A gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the part of the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) just below the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
quality of life (KWAH-lih-tee ... life)
The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
sunitinib (soo-NIH-tih-nib)
A drug used to treat certain types of pancreatic cancer. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in some patients and to treat advanced kidney cancer. It is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Sunitinib stops cancer cells from dividing and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Also called SU011248, SU11248, sunitinib malate, and Sutent.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
surgeon (SER-jun)
A doctor who removes or repairs a part of the body by operating on the patient.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
surgery (SER-juh-ree)
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms (http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
