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U-M presents symposium on advances in kidney cancer treatment, research

Ann Arbor, MI. -- Last year, more than 1.3 million new cancers were diagnosed in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 of these individuals were diagnosed with kidney cancer. But there is hope: More than 200,000 kidney cancer survivors are living in the United States right now. Recent advances in diagnosis, surgical procedures and treatment options will allow even more patients to live with the disease, continuing to maintain their normal schedules and lifestyles.

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Kidney cancer information page

Kidney Cancer Association

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The University of Michigan is presenting a kidney cancer patient-survivor conference in conjunction with the Kidney Cancer Association on the treatment options for patients and families dealing with kidney cancer. Physicians will review the latest and most effective treatments for kidney cancer.

"Kidney cancer is increasing in incidence, and now represents almost 4% of all cancers. It is also the most lethal urologic cancer. Twenty-five percent of patients with kidney cancer will die of their cancer, compared to 12% for prostate cancer and 21% for bladder cancer. Fortunately, there are exciting new treatments available, including minimally invasive surgery and better-tolerated chemotherapy, that are improving outcomes for kidney cancer patients," says Stuart Wolf Jr., M.D., director of the Minimally Invasive Urology Division and professor of urology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

U-M physicians presenting are:

• David Miller, M.D., assistant professor of urology surgery - Overview of Kidney Cancer
• Alon Weizer, M.D., assistant professor of urology surgery - Causes of Kidney Cancer: Genetics and Environment
• William Roberts, M.D., associate professor of urology and associate professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering - Observation, Percutaneous and Extracorporeal Treatment of Kidney Cancer
• Stuart Wolf, M.D., David A. Bloom Professor of Urology - Surgery for Localized Kidney Cancer
Khaled Hafez, M.D., associate professor of urology - Surgery for Advanced Kidney Cancer
• Bruce Redman, D.O., professor of internal medicine - Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer and Targeted Therapy for Kidney Cancer

The doctors will provide an update on the surgical treatments of kidney cancer, including open surgery, laparoscopy and needle ablation procedures. They will also discuss exciting research being done at U-M with a new non-invasive treatment that offers promise for the treatment of small renal tumors without any incisions. The conference will outline the variety of options for systemic therapy of kidney cancer. Highlights will include new oral treatments for kidney cancer, and an overview of ongoing clinical trials and other research that aims to further advance the treatment of kidney cancer.

Event Information:

Source: Kidney Cancer Association

Written by Steffanie Samuels; Phone: 734-615-9843 or e-mail

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