Keeping Pace With Evolving Treatment Paradigms in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Nurse’s View

STATEMENT OF NEED

Kidney cancer accounts for approximately 4% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States (ACS, 2020). An estimated 73,750 new cases are reported annually and 14,830 people die of the disease. Renal cell carcinoma, which comprises nearly 90% of all kidney cancers, is characterized by a lack of early warning signs, diverse clinical manifestations, and resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Due to its often asymptomatic presentation, many patients have advanced disease at diagnosis, which is associated with poor outcomes. The 5-year survival rate for patients with regional RCC is only 70% and drops to a dismal 12% for those with distant metastases (ACS, 2020).

TARGET AUDIENCE

Oncology and urology nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with RCC.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1.) Distinguish the mechanisms of action of IO agents and VEGFR TKIs in advanced RCC
2.) Differentiate the efficacy and safety profiles of IO and VEGFR TKI therapies for advanced RCC
3.) Assess strategies to improve treatment tolerability, control adverse events, and ensure the provision of patient-centered RCC care