Biomarkers, Early Detection and Biomarker Based Treatment of Renal Cancer

Abstract

When kidney cancer is detected early ,often incidentally with increased use of imaging tools, the prognosis remains generally favourable. When detected late, the survival, despite treatment, remains poor.

A major challenge in managing renal cancer stems from the heterogenous nature of the disease. There is a diverse range in terms of tumour phenotypes and histological profiles. Furthermore, a renal tumour can range from the benign end of the spectrum e.g. oncocytoma to clinically less aggressive variants e.g. chromophobe renal cell caners to poor prognostic variants such as high-grade clear cell and papillary type 2 renal cell cancers. To add complexity, some of these cancer types have their own genetic variants adding a somewhat unpredictable and uncomfortable aura in deciphering long-term prognosis.

The increase in incidence and evolving burden on healthcare coupled with recent advances in biomarker evaluation and imaging modalities has ushered a renewed interest in biomarker and other early detection strategies. Herein, this chapter will outline the current existing and future perspectives on biomarkers and early detection strategies. Some of the biomarkers have helped individualize and specialize a signatured approach to oncological management either in conjunction with surgical extirpation or on their own.