Professor Grant Stewart leads national recommendations on kidney cancer care

Led by UM-lead Professor Grant Stewart, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published the first clinical guideline for kidney cancer, providing a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults with suspected or confirmed renal cell carcinoma.

Professor Grant Stewart was clinical lead for developing the new guidelines - photo CUH

Kidney cancer is the sixth most common adult cancer in the UK, and early detection is challenging with most cases diagnosed incidentally or symptomatically at advanced stages. The NICE guideline aims to standardise diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and patient support, integrating new technologies and ensuring equitable care. 

Key recommendations include: 

• Offering imaging and biopsies for patients with small lesions under 4 cm, to reduce unnecessary surgeries.  

• Recommending biopsy for suspected localized or locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly for small lesions, to inform management and avoid invasive procedures on benign lesions. ​ 

• Emphasising the importance of patient information, including access to a clinical nurse specialist to provide support and information, from initial diagnosis through their treatment and follow-up. 

• Aligning with the National Cancer Plan, promoting rapid adoption of new technologies and improving care pathways. ​ 

  
  

Read the full article on the CRUK Cambridge Centre website. 

Access the NICE guidelines for kidney cancer.